ESA Telecommunications

BR-234February 2006

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ESA Telecommunications

ALLsheets-BR234NEW 2/10/06 11:49 AM Page 1

ESA Telecommunications

SELECTED PROJECTS - Contents

1. User Segment 4

1.1. Applications 4

1.1.1 Satcom Network Systems and Services 4BARRDBelgacom DVB-RCS ‘Broadband in the Sky’Broadband to TrainsCollaBOD HOST Pacific SkiesSAGAN South West Broadband InitiativeWired Ocean

1.1.2. Community Information Services 16The Lift ChannelSat’n Surf

1.1.3. B2B/B2C 20BrandTVEDIBS E-ScreenESEMARIn-Flight Reporting ToolMeCA Multi-PIDSATMODESatServ

1.1.4. Telemedicine/Medical Education 32DELTASSHealth Information ServicesI-DISCAREMAYFLOWERNESA REACHSKYMEDSKYNURSETEMOS

1.1.5. Distance Learning 44EspressoSchoolCastSpaceForScience

TelecommunicationsSatellite Applications

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1.1.6. Location Based Satcom Services 50AeroFleetBirdcomi4SMUTIS PERUSE Railway Freight Wagon Tracking and ReportingWICOR

1.1.7. Disaster Relief/Emergency Management 60I-GARMENTSARFOSSASS TRACKS

1.1.8. e-Government 66e-regSAT

1.2. User Terminals 70400W C and Ku Band TWT Satcom AmplifiersMMSAPocketSAT Waveguide Lens Antenna

2. Multimedia Systems 76

AmerHis

3. Technology 80

APEX CASIMO ENHANCED SKYPLEX

4. Mobility 86

AMETHYSTBGAN ExtensionCarBuddySDMB


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1. User Segment

The User Segment Project promotes near-to-marketdevelopment activities in the area of satellite communicationsthat have a direct impact on the user community. UserTerminals and Applications are the two main lines ofdevelopment.

If the Applications represent the final product for which theend users would be eventually willing to pay the bill, the UserTerminals constitute the instrument to provide theApplications to the end-user community. The development ofApplications and User Terminals are strongly interrelated, tothe point that the success of one side of this binomial cannotbe achieved without the contribution of the other. Theavailability of a suitable combination of Applications and UserTerminals is therefore crucial to developing the satellitecommunications market.

1.1. Applications

1.1.1. Satcom Network Systems and Services

This area hosts projects aimed at the development ofsatellite telecommunication networks and associatedelements (hardware and/or software) devoted to providing and supporting general purpose end-to-end connectivity services.

• BARRD - Broadband Access For Rural Regeneration with DVB-RCS• Belgacom DVB-RCS ‘Broadband in the Sky’• Broadband to Trains• CollaBOD - Collaborative Bandwidth on Demand• HOST - HELLAS SAT Offering in Satellite Communications• Pacific Skies - Broadband for Asia• SAGAN - Web-Based Satellite Capacity Management System• South West Broadband Initiative• Wired Ocean


http://telecom.esa.int/barrd e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

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BARRD - Broadband Access for Rural Regeneration with DVB-RCS

Applications: Satcom Network Systems and Services

"... satellite will have an important role to play in the mix of technologies that willbe a part in bridging the digital divide in rural or less privileged areas of Europe"PriceWaterhouseCoopers

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Avanti Communications Ltd.28-20 Hoxton SquareLondon N1 6NNUnited Kingdomhttp://www.avanti-communications.com

CONTACT Avanti Communications Ltd.: Trevor Barker

Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +44 20 7749 1600Fax: +44 20 7749 1633

PROJECT PARTNERS: Rural Solutions (UK)Eutelsat (France)

PROFILE:

Countries across the European Union are beginning to appreciate the benefits that ruralregeneration can bring to both quality of life and the environment. There is a growingtrend of knowledge-based workers migrating from the cities to the countryside toestablish small businesses or take up tele-working.

However, one problem that has the potential to slow down this trend is the lack ofbroadband connectivity to many potential business locations. For a number of years itwas believed that ADSL and cable technologies would provide low cost broadbandcommunications for all. However, it is now clear that this will never be the case.

In order to provide the benefits of broadband to businesses in remote locations a differentsolution is required, a solution that is cost effective, quickly deployable and adaptable tothe many varied circumstances encountered in the rural community. To this end, Avanti isconducting a trial of Wireless Internet Points of Presence (WIPoP) in 20 rural business parks across the UK. The WIPoPs employ a combination oftechnologies, using DVB-RCS to provide back-haul communications and un-licensed 2.4GHz wireless technology for “last mile” connections.

The project will demonstrate the power of DVB-RCS in providing communications thatmeets the needs of businesses:

• An “always on”, two-way service• A secure means of transmitting data• A cost effective solution• Fair access to bandwidth• Tiered service levels.


Belgacom DVB-RCS, “Broadband in the Sky”


"Belgacom DVB-RCS enables Service Providers to build their own broadband servicebased on a shared platform concept. This innovative approach gives them the benefitto start without making massive investments usually necessary.”Stein Peeters, Project Manager, Belgacom

PRIME CONTRACTOR: BelgacomKoning Albert II-Laan, 27,1030 BrusselBelgiumhttp://www.belgacom.be/satellite

CONTACT BELGACOM: Stein PeetersProject ManagerE-Mail : [email protected]: +32 2 202 93 62

PROJECT PARTNER: Newtec (Belgium)

PROFILE:

Belgacom, the leading Belgian telecom operator, has developed a broadband platformthat supports the delivery of advanced IP based services to and through multipleservice providers. The platform has been developed in cooperation with anotherBelgian company, Newtec. The project is called Belgacom DVB-RCS, “Broadband inthe sky” and builds on the DVB-RCS standard which provides the technological basisfor two-way satellite IP communications.

The goal of such a project was to provide Internet service providers with broadbandInternet access by enabling them to define and deliver a service package matched totheir own market requirements. The main benefit of this business model is the factthat service providers will share the two-way DVB-RCS IP satellite communicationplatform, resulting in a lower operating cost. As a result, end users will also be able tobenefit from more attractive IP services over broadband connectivity via satellite inareas not otherwise connected.

In achieving this, the project team had identified four main challenges: management ofresource sharing to enable multiple service providers to use the system, providingservice provider operator management access to the system to enable them to managetheir terminals and end-users profiles, security aspects of multiple operator access tomanagement systems, and finally testing of relevant usage scenarios.

The service is now commerically deployed. See also www.belgacom.be/satellite.

http://telecom.esa.int/belgacom e-mail: [email protected] Applications

November 2004

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http://telecom.esa.int/bb2trains e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

Broadband to Trains


“21Net has demonstrated that it really is possible to deliver a business-classbroadband service to train passengers - multimegabit data rates over a bidirectionalKu-band satellite link with a high speed train travelling at 300 km per hour.” Henry Hyde-Thomson, Chairman, 21 Net Ltd.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: 21Net Ltd.Anglesey House1 Worcester RoadMalvern WR14 4QYUnited Kingdomhttp://www.21net.com

CONTACT 21Net Ltd.: Henry Hyde-ThomsonChairmanE-mail: [email protected]: +44-(0)845-053-1733Fax: +44-(0)1684-580661

PROFILE:

21Net is providing train passengers in Europe with high speed Internet access andentertainment services, including TV, music, and films streamed directly to their ownwireless-enabled laptop or PDA.

The 21Net system uses two-way Ku-band satellite links directly to a tracking antennamounted on the roof of the train travelling at speeds of up to 300 km/h. The satellitelink is augmented by “Wi-Fi” and GPRS data links in tunnels, stations and otherlocations where the satellite may be unavailable.

By equipping the trains with video servers and “Wi-Fi” wireless networks, 21Netgives business-class travellers Internet access and a variety of entertainment servicesstreamed directly to their laptop screens.

Working with Spanish satellite operator Hispasat and a local partner in Spain, 21Netfirst demonstrated its technology in 2004 on a high speed train operating on theMadrid-Seville route. The 2MBit/s satellite connection was shared by 10 laptopswhich were able to send and receive e-mails with attachments of 5 MBytes or more, atthe same time as receiving real-time streamed video from the Web … all on a traintravelling at 300 km/h. Since spring 2005, 21Net has been running a full trial on theThalys train operating between Brussels and Paris, providing service to as many as100 users per train simultaneously.

21Net believes that a 2MBit/s downlink and a 512kBit/s uplink per train arenecessary to provide business class Internet services and to support broadbandservices for the train operator and its customers.

All major train operators are looking for Internet access and service solutions formillions of European passengers, preferably without having to manage the servicethemselves or to modify their trains. 21Net has demonstrated that it can deliver this.

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CollaBOD - Collaborative Bandwidth on Demand


“ Now that user groups can schedule and operate their own satellite sessions, thenetwork operations staff are no longer involved in the day-to-day operations ofbandwidth-on-demand user programming. Thanks to CollaBOD, staff are onlyinvolved if there is trouble.”Keith Sheppard, Project Manager, Colabnet

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Collaborative Network Technologies Inc.(Colabnet)55 Bond Street, Suite 202St. John‘s, NLCanada, A1C 5V3http://www.colabnet.com

CONTACT COLABNET: Keith SheppardProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +1 709 754-7482Fax: +1 709 754-7406

PROJECT PARTNER: Telesat (Canada)

PROFILE:

CollaBOD is an integrated Bandwidth-on-Demand management system developed tocontrol satellite circuits in real time and fill a gap between three user groups:

• the satellite network operations centre (central operations)• the programme real-time operators (regional operations)• the regional programme coordinators (advance booking and billing).

‘Central operations’ is a user-group that is involved in the configuration andmonitoring of satellite circuits. The ‘regional operations’ user-group is involved in thereal-time operation of satellite facilities, shared user facilities, and equipment. The‘regional coordinators’ user-group is responsible for advance detection of conflictsinvolving end-user equipment, facilities or bandwidth. CollaBOD provides interfacesfor each of these user groups.

CollaBOD has a distributed user interface for the advance reservation of networkresources and real time circuit control. Conflicts are detected when the reservations arerequested. CollaBOD provides usage-tracking reports for billing and capacityplanning. Access to the CollaBOD resources is based on a user profile configured atthe central CollaBOD server. Each user is provided with an interface that reflects thesubset of resources for which they are responsible. This helps to reinforce theresponsibilities of each user within the customer-support network.

CollaBOD is deployed with Telesat Canada which supports projects such as SmartLabrador under Canada’s national Smart Communities Program, where IP-basedservices are provided to multiple user sites in Canada’s North for data and video-conferencing applications.

http://telecom.esa.int/collabod e-mail: [email protected] Applications

June 2004

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http://telecom.esa.int/host e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

HOST - HELLAS SAT Offering in Satellite Communications


“From now on, someone enjoying his holidays in a small beautiful island will be able to have a full broadband access to the internet from his portable computer at affordableprices.”Christos Papachristos, Manager, Communications Network, Hellas Sat S.A.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: HELLAS SAT99 Kifissias Av.24 Marousi151 AthensGreecehttp://www.hellas-sat.net

CONTACT HELLAS SAT: Christos PapachristosProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +30 210 6100600Fax: +30 210 6111545

PROJECT PARTNERS: Avanti (UK)Intracom (Greece)Attisat (Greece)

PROFILE:

The HOST programme focuses on the development of the Hellas Sat commercial offeringin end-to-end satellite telecommunication services for supporting the delivery of bi-directional (broadband) applications in Greece, the Balkans, SE Europe, and the MiddleEast.

Since its launch last May, Hellas Sat has received several requests for end-to-end satellite telecommunication service provision from a variety of potential customers for applications and generic services in the area of e-Government, e-Business, e-Inclusion/Digital Divide. Also, market data in the area of interest for Hellas Satsupport the business case for such an end-to-end service provision.

In order to address this market and complete its basic offering of capacity for TV andoccasional transmissions, Hellas Sat and its partners decided to develop an end-to-endsatcom service able to HOST a wide range of applications. A range of Pilots will beperformed within the project, addressing representative market segments.

The 'HOST Service Platform' will be based on DVB-RCS technology, which will supportindependent networks providing several kinds of applications within the Hellas Satcoverage. The DVB-RCS standard supports bi-directional broadband connectivity viasatellite enabling services such as fast Internet access, intranet/VPN for secureconnections, multicast and real time applications.

The forward link, from the central Hub, is based on the DVB-S/MPEG-2 data format and is capable of carrying information with bit rates up to 45 Mbps. At the receiving site,each SIT connected to the network is able to upload at up to typically 2Mbps per carrierin the return direction using a Multi Frequency-Time Division Multiple Access (MF-TDMA) scheme.

The DVB-RCS Multimedia Platform will use Hellas Sat 2 capacity. During the initial stages of the HOST project, a number of pilot trials will beundertaken in the areas of tele-Education, tele-Medicine, e-government, Digital Divideand corporate networks (VPN).

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http://telecom.esa.int/pacificskies e-mail: [email protected] Applications

September 2004

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Pacific Skies - Broadband for Asia


“Within the Pacific Skies project we have created a ‘hub within a hub’ that allowseach ISP to fully manage their own resources without the need for a large capitalinvestment.”Steve Collar, Vice President of Asset Management and Product Development, New Skies Satellites

PRIME CONTRACTORS: New Skies Satellites NewtecRooseveltplantsoen 4 Laarstraat 52596 KR The Hague 9100 Sint-Niklaas The Netherlands Belgium http://www.newskies.com http://www.newtec.be

CONTACT New Skies Satellites: David BurrDirector, Internet Product DevelopmentE-mail: [email protected]: +31 (70) 306-4202Fax: +31 (70) 306-4240

CONTACT Newtec: Geert AdamsDVB-RCS Program Manager E-mail: [email protected] Tel +32 3 780 65 00Fax: +32 3 780 65 49

PROJECT PARTNER: Alcatel Bell Space (Belgium)

PROFILE:

The aim of the Pacific Skies project is to develop and pilot a new service, which it ishoped will become a sustainable operational business. The service, branded IPsysBroadband, offers two-way Internet Access for corporate end users and will bedistributed through local service providers. The network will support servicestypically demanded by corporate users, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)suitable for Intranets and Extranets.

South East Asia has been reluctant to embrace the use of Ku-band, which is necessaryto reduce end-user equipment costs to the level required to penetrate the market. Thelack of sufficient technical solutions, in turn, leads to a commercial reluctance to investin Ku-band services.

In order to achieve the goals of the project, a number of developmental objectivesmust be met:

• The implementation of rain fade countermeasures and turbo-coded return carriers,which are essential in the provision of services in rainy regions such as South East Asia.

• The implementation of multi-ISP network management tools, which allow ISPs to operate independent networks within a shared hub, minimizing the investment required for small- and medium-sized ISPs to provide satellite broadband services.

• A successful pilot phase with real end users acting as a proof-of-concept and showing the feasibility of two-way Ku-band services for broadband access.

Together, these development objectives overcome the technical hurdles and addressthe reluctance of the market to invest in Ku-band services. It is hoped that the projectwill seed the market for DVB-RCS services in Asia and lead to an increase in both thenumber of subscribers and the number of networks in the region.


http://telecom.esa.int/sagan e-mail: [email protected] Applications

November 2004

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SAGAN


“The system will be a powerful tool to automate and improve the procurement ofsatellite resources that, until now, is being done by a human operator.”Pedro Lopez, Project Manager, SGI

PRIME CONTRACTOR: SGIIsaac Newton 11P.T.M. Tres Cantos28760 MadridSpainhttp://www.sgi.es

CONTACT SGI: Pedro LopezProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +34 91 806 16 00Fax: +34 91 806 16 99

PROJECT PARTNERS: GMV (Spain)Hispasat (Spain)

PROFILE:

SGI, GMV, and Hispasat of Spain have been working together on a project aimed atautomating the provisioning of satellite capacity. In the past a human operator isneeded to organise the various booking requests for capacity. The task of the operatorwas to gather requests and identify the best operational mode. SAGAN, consisting ofhardware and software, is an automated capacity management system, which allowsweb-based access to allow the best possible use of ESA-leased satellite capacity.

To achieve all this, the three companies have developed software modules,interfaces and utilities, as well as purchased the necessary hardware. The system isopen-source-based and can be accessed with standard http browsers.

The SAGAN webserver can be accessed at:

https://sagan.esa.int/sagan

SAGAN has led to a better response to multiple requests for ESA-leased satellitecapacity. It is therefore possible to increase efficiency and allow better management ofthe growing demand for satellite capacity. Distribution of satellite capacity resourceshas been optimized to the greatest possible extent.


http://telecom.esa.int/swb e-mail: [email protected] Applications

July 2004

South West Broadband Initiative


“Satellite technology provides a more cost-effective way of delivering internet outsideof the larger towns. It’s just cheaper than laying fibre in the ground.”John McAleer, Director of the South West Regional Authority

PRIME CONTRACTOR: South West Regional AuthorityInnishmoreBallincolligCo. CorkIrelandhttp://www.swra.ie/broadband/

CONTACT SOUTH WEST REGIONAL AUTHORITY: Ms. Sinead Crowley

Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +353 21 4876877Fax: +353 21 4876872

PROJECT PARTNER: Ildana Teo. (Ireland)

PROFILE:

Having secured funding from the European Space Agency under the ARTES 4Programme, the South West Regional Authority in Ireland and project partner IldanaTeo. have successfully carried out and completed several field trials to test the role ofsatellite broadband technologies in bringing high-bandwidth connectivity to rural andremote locations in the south west of Ireland.

The fundamental aims and objectives of SWB were:

• through a range of field trials, to independently and rigorously test satellite as a means of accessing broadband connectivity within the business, community, education and public sector domains

• to evaluate the suitability of the technology, together with its affordability, usability, sustainability and reliability

• to support and sustain innovation in technology and business development, and • to evaluate and disseminate our experiences, for the benefit of other peripheral

regions in Ireland and across Europe.

Overall, the project has been a very successful venture in the delivery of satellitebroadband to rural areas. It has highlighted the ability of local providers, local orregional authorities or community-based groups to adopt a successful self-helpapproach to broadband servicing. Although the field trials under SWB have formallyended, some communities have decided to keep the service in place, havingexperienced for themselves the wide and far-reaching benefits that broadband has tooffer.

During the course of the SWB project, significant developments have taken place toaddress the Digital Divide in Ireland. These include an in-depth review and report bythe Oireachtas (Parliamentary) Joint Committee on Communications, Marine andNatural Resources, which recognises the potential of satellite technology. The projecthas also very successfully raised the profile of satellite broadband across much of theEuropean Union, with a significant influence on the Digital Divide debate also in theUSA.

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WIRED OCEAN

Applications: Satcom Network Elements

“Compared to commonly used existing systems the Wired Ocean system has thepotential to increase Internet access speeds at sea by a factor of ten and to reducecosts by a factor of 70% to 90%.” Victor Barendse, Project Manager, Actinus

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Wired Ocean301B Harbour YardChelsea HarbourLondon SW10 0XDUnited Kingdomhttp://www.actinus.com

CONTACT WIRED OCEAN: Victor BarendseProject ManagerEmail: [email protected]: +44 20 8440 6254Fax: +44 20 7751 5516

PROJECT PARTNER: Hollycroft Associates (UK)

PROFILE:

Wired Ocean's objective is to significantly improve the availability of Internet accessfrom ships at sea. Compared to commonly used existing systems the Wired Oceansystem has the potential to increase Internet access speeds by a factor of ten and toreduce costs by a factor of 70% to 90%.

The chosen technology is a 'hybrid' of broadband Ku-band satellites for the downlinkand narrowband mobile satellites (or cellular) for the return channel. Wired Ocean hasalready developed a specialised client server (the Wired Ocean Satellite BroadbandServer) to manage the communications sessions at the ship end. The server interfacesto a tracking TV receive only (TVRO) antenna to receive the downlink and to anarrowband terminal for the return channel. Many ships already have either a TVROantenna or narrowband terminal or both.

The objective of the project is to implement a DVB downlink service, integrate it withthe client server, develop features to minimise the overall cost of use and implementsupport functions. Wired Ocean will need to meet a number of requirements that areunique to the maritime industry including coverage of water rather than land,providing Internet access at an orbital location that also has popular televisionprogramming, and providing service to remote locations that have minimal ITsupport.

Once operational the system will be trialled by ten vessels over a six month period.The trial will enable us to demonstrate the performance and stability of the systemand well as to meet and resolve the issues that only become apparent in real worldoperation.

http://telecom.esa.int/wiredocean e-mail: [email protected] Applications

August 2005

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1.1.2. Community Information Services

These activities are dedicated to the provision of satcom-based applications and services to the benefit of specific communities or user groups.

• The Lift Channel• Sat’n Surf



http://telecom.esa.int/liftchannel e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

The Lift Channel

Applications: Community Information Services

"The Lift Channel will exploit a niche market within the Digital Signage industry".Seamus O'Leary, Technical Director, Inhouse Technologies

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Inhouse TechnologiesUnit 4a, Block 42Rosemount Business ParkBlanchardstownDublin 11Irelandhttp://www.iht.ie

CONTACT Inhouse Technologies: Seamus O’Leary

Technical DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: (+353) 1 8829705Fax: (+353) 1 8829710

PROJECT PARTNER: DV4 (Ireland)

PROFILE:

The In House Technologies (IHT) Lift Channel system is a multimedia technologyplatform. It enables multimedia clips to be assembled for any purpose and thensimultaneously transmitted to any number of remote locations across Europe. The contentis distributed via satellite and then presented on screens in business locations or withinthe lift compartment of a normal lift system. It is based around the growing DigitalSignage industry. The project has completed development of the service and trials with anumber of different organisations.

Any kind of media can be displayed from moving video with audio, to still pictures andgraphics. The system can be used for advertising purposes and many differentapplications such as information sharing, the provision of safety information and topicalnews relevant to a particular organisation. The system allows the screen to be partitionedwith live video, audio, a ticker tape and graphics such as logos, all broadcastsimultaneously.

The targeting of small demographic groups is possible using this approach. Manybuildings are occupied by a single organisation or the tenants may be of a singlediscipline. Examples of discipline-specific developments include financial districts andtechnology parks. The overall percentage of ABC1 individuals reached by this system willbe very high and with a fairly even split between male and female.

The opportunity for Inhouse Technologies is to build a presence in what is an as yetuntapped and large marketplace using ostensibly existing technology. To make thishappen IHT will have to form alliances with stakeholders and advertisers.

The work packages within this project were completed by Inhouse Technologies and DV4of Dublin Ireland and in association with other stakeholders. Inhouse Technologies andDV4 envisage setting up a separate organisation to operate, develop and sell theadvertising slots.

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Sat’n Surf

Applications : Community Information Services

“Sat@Once aims to transform the Internet into a new medium rivalling that of radioand TV.”Vu Tien Khang, Project Manager, SES ASTRA

PRIME CONTRACTOR: SES ASTRAChâteau de BetzdorfL-6815 Luxembourghttp://[email protected]

CONTACT SES ASTRA: Vu Tien KhangProject ManagerE-mail : [email protected] : +352 710 725 615Fax : +352 710 725 433

PROJECT PARTNERS: Deutsche Welle (Germany)CRP Henri Tudor (Luxembourg)Technisat GmbH (Germany)

PROFILE:

Sat’n Surf builds upon the success of the Sat@Once project, which was concluded inmid-2004.

The Sat@Once platform provides a community service that distributes the mostpopular Internet content free-of-charge to people equipped with a Windows PC, aDVB-S receiver card (or USB box), and a dish pointed to ASTRA at 19.2 deg East.

It uses software called “Casablanca” (4.8 MB) that can be downloaded free of charge.The purpose of Casablanca is to select the most popular free Internet content, asdetermined by the quantity of online visitors, and to broadcast these pages via satellite24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The votes of from the individual Sat@Once users will decide on the actual contentbeing broadcast. In addition, an intelligent filtering algorithm will profile the user’spersonal fields of interest.

By mid-2005, more than 140 000 users were registered across Europe and North Africa.Sat@Once transmits more than 250 different sets of content simultaneously on threeparallel channels: one channel is dedicated to Italian content, one channel dedicated toGerman content and a third channel for the rest of Europe (French, English, Polish,Czech, Spanish).

Starting in September 2005, there will be five distinct services broadcast by theplatform in the scope of the Sat’n Surf project:

• Webcasting: multicast of most popular web pages• RSS feeds: multicast of most popular RSS links and related web pages• Podcasting: multicast of most popular podcasts and container web pages• Newscasting: multicast of most popular newsgroups• Mailcasting: multicast of most popular mailing lists.

Most importantly, the popularity of the Sat@Once platform has motivated the Germanpublic broadcaster Deutsche Welle to assess the usability of Sat@Once as a newinformation, education and entertainment medium on top of their current Internetoffering. In addition, an improved private user profiling and filtering mechanism is tobe implemented by the Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor (CRP-HT).Furthermore, SES ASTRA is working to expand the audience-measurement andcontent-management tools to improve the use of Sat@Once as a new advertisingchannel, with a business model similar to commercial television.

http://telecom.esa.int/satnsurf e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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1.1.3. B2B/B2C

This section hosts activities dealing with the generic distribution of digital assets and interactive services for commercial applications.

• BrandTV• EDIBS – Embedded DVB Services• E-Screen• ESEMAR• In-Flight Reporting Tool• MeCA – Marine eCommerce Applications• Multi-PID• SATMODE• SatServ


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http://telecom.esa.int/brandtv e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

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BrandTVApplications: B2B/B2C

“In the increasingly competitive high street market BrandTV allows customers todifferentiate themselves from their competitors. With the capability to add corporatebranding and personalise text information, BrandTV provides a cost effective means ofdelivering a bespoke television channel without the complexity of a full broadcast studio.”Paul Griffiths, Technical Director, Satellite Information Services

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Satellite Information Services 17 Corsham StreetLondonN1 6DREnglandhttp://www.satelliteinfo.co.uk

CONTACT Satellite Information Services: Steve Barber

Technical Projects ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +44 (0) 20 7696 8605Fax: +44 (0) 20 7608 0834

PROJECT PARTNERS: Coral Eurobet (UK)Hollycroft Associates (UK)Onelan Limited (UK)

PROFILE:

BrandTV gives the user the power of a broadcast studio, without the outlay forequipment or satellite bandwidth.

Initially designed for use within SIS’s existing high street betting-shop market,BrandTV is sufficiently flexible to be used in many circumstances where a user needsto produce customised marketing information for the retail and leisure market.

BrandTV uses a clean-feed video signal, locally overlays a corporate logo and thenadds text information in a “Bloomberg” style layout around the video. Corporatebranding is seen as a key factor in enhancing corporate profile and in increasing brandloyalty. The text information is derived from an XML source, which may be edited orappended to by a user through a web interface. This information is sent as IP-over-satellite to each user group, with shared usage of a clean-feed video signal, making thesystem suitable for customers of any size, and who also make efficient use of limitedsatellite bandwidth. The system is addressable either by single site or in groups (forexample by region, or by shop size).

Through its “store and forward” capability, BrandTV gives the opportunity for usersto broadcast training videos or corporate staff messages to their closed user group.Playout of media files may be instigated locally or through a broadcast triggermessage. The decoder can hold approximately 10 hours of video media files(depending on data rate/quality required).

BrandTV builds onto the “Satellite Electronic Signage” project from Onelan, whichwas itself developed under an ESA ARTES 3 contract.


http://telecom.esa.int/edibs e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

EDIBS - Embedded DVB Services

Applications: B2B/B2C

“PVRs and other digital timeshift devices and technologies dramatically endanger the commercial basis of free TV by enabling recipients to completely wipe outadvertisements. Imagine if a TV-station could directly reward every recipient forevery viewed spot. EDIBS® makes it possible and adds a new dimension of customerrelationship for broadcasters!”Harald Hackenberg, Managing Director F5

PRIME CONTRACTOR: F5 GmbHOdoakergasse 34-361160 ViennaAustriahttp://www.f-5.at

CONTACT F5 GmbH: Harald HackenbergManaging DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: + 431 888 6545Mobile: +43 676 9376971Fax: +43 8863164

PROJECT PARTNERS: Institut für Computerwissenschaften, Universität Salzburg (Austria)Mitropa (Austria)ORF (Austria)

PROFILE:

EDIBS® enables broadcasters to counteract the challenges of TiVO® and other PVRdevices which seriously endanger the commercial basis of free TV by encouragingrecipients to skip advertisements. Offering EDIBS, TV stations can promote andreward their audience for viewing habits that do not disregard their commercialinterests. EDIBS is a DVB-compliant technology which is partly based on MHP. Itworks with most MHP-compliant set-top boxes equipped with a hard disk recorderwithout any hard- or software adaptations.

The ECS (embedded content server) enables broadcasters to embed additional videoclips of an unlimited size and in broadcast quality into their TV programme withoutrequiring additional transmission bandwidth. Once additional content is transmitted,it will be received and managed by the MHP-compliant EDIBS client application. Thebroadcaster defines the criteria for viewers to be able to make use of this additionalcontent.

EDIBS offers more than the innovative technology. A wide range of content serviceshas been developed offering breathtaking benefits not only to broadcasters, but also toTV customers. Following frequent-customer bonus programmes, which are commonfor a number of branches, one EDIBS service will allow recipients for instance tocollect embedded content which their favourite TV-station spreads throughout itsprogramme until they have received a complete bonus movie.

The EDIBS technology and services create a new dimension for interactive televisionwhile strengthening the relationship between TV-stations and their customers.

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E-Screen

Applications : B2B/B2C

"Anticipating the future of Digital Cinema, E-Screen is also a proof of concept for theapplication of satellite technologies to the cinema domain."Silvio Borri, Project Manager, Elsacom

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Elsacom S.p.A.Via Giulio Vincenzo Bona, 8700156 Rome Italyhttp://www.elsacom.com

CONTACT ELSACOM: Silvio BorriProgram manager for Digital Cinema & New MediaE-mail: [email protected]: +39 06 4121 4320Fax: +39 06 4121 4300

PROJECT PARTNERS: United Cinemas International (UK)Screen Digest (UK)Cinecitta Holding (I – Sponsoring Partner)Marinastudios (I – Sponsoring Partner)

PROFILE:

The E-Screen project has been aimed at implementing and operating a network of 10cinemas in various European countries, equipped with digital technologies for contentstorage and projection, and served by satellite connections for the reception ofcontents in both live and store & forward modes.

E-Screen has been the first D-Cinema multinational and multilanguage network acrossEurope to be served by a single delivery and remote control station, which waslocated at the Elsacom earth station in Avezzano (Italy). From this earth station the 1stsatellite delivery of a movie to cinemas ever done in Europe was performed. In theperiod March-April 2005, four classic movies (“Robin Hood”, “Singin’ in the Rain”,“Blow Up” and “Casablanca”) were digitally post-produced by the E-Screenpartners, delivered via satellite and then projected inside European cinemas, with avery good response from the audience in terms of image quality.

The E-Screen project also hosted three live events, including a rock concert of theItalian group “Le Vibrazioni”, the projections of many blockbusters digital moviescoming from the Hollywood majors, the projection of digital short movies and digitalscreen advertising.

While anticipating the trends of Digital Cinema, E-Screen has constituted a remarkableexample of how satellite technologies can easily be integrated with the audiovisualones, providing some important evidence on how a satellite-based proposition forDigital Cinema (and related applications, such as advertising and live events) can beof great success in just a few years from now.

http://telecom.esa.int/e-screen e-mail: [email protected] August 2005

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ESEMAR


“Imagine you are working, travelling or cruising aboard vessels. We help you stay incontact with your maritime travel or tourism organisation.”Pier Paolo Simionato, Project Manager, Telespazio

PRIME CONTRACTOR: TelespazioVia Tiburtina 965Rome 00156 Italyhttp://www.telespazio.it

CONTACT TELESPAZIO: Pier Paolo SimionatoProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +39 06 4079 3052Fax: +39 06 4079 3625

PROJECT PARTNERS: ITS (Italy)Ash Multimedia (Italy)

PROFILE:

The aim of the ESEMAR project is to increment the information flow between all thosein the maritime travel or tourism organisations and the people working, travelling orcruising aboard vessels. ESEMAR can be thought of as an overlay network built todeliver content and allow access to a distributed audience. The actors with respect tothis content distribution network can be grouped as follows:

• Companies or organisations wishing to offer information or market their travel and tourism products to a wide, geographically distributed audience.

• Individual travellers or organisations searching for information or interested in booking everything they need online.

The operations are conducted in cooperation with TIRRENIA, a major shipowner andsailing group providing its services within the main Mediterranean routes. The services proposed to ESEMAR users are “business opportunity oriented” servicesand, in essence, can be summarized as follows:

- Internet access, over local content (1-way) or high speed (only on 2-way terminals)- Video-advertising.- Tourist e-booking.- Telephonic services through VoIP (only on 2-way terminals).

http://telecom.esa.int/esemar e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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http://telecom.esa.int/inflightreportingtool e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

In-Flight Reporting ToolApplications: B2B/B2C

“The ability to transfer important data en-route enables efficient processing of theaircraft during the aircraft turnaround cycle.” Ciaran Bernard, Project Manager, AMT Ireland

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Aircraft Management Technologies1 The Green MalahideCo. DublinIrelandhttp:// www.flightman.com

CONTACTAircraft Management Technologies: Ciaran Bernard

E-mail:[email protected]:+353-1-8061000Fax: +353-1-8061025

PROFILE:

The project objective was to provide a reporting system that would enable the in-flightreporting of airline operational data over satellite communication systems. The reportingsystem provides the Flight Crew and Cabin Staff with the ability to issue reports during allphases of flight. A ground-based server makes the reports available to both authorisedpersonnel and legacy airline systems in real time over the Internet. The ability to transferimportant data en-route enables efficient processing of the aircraft during the aircraftturnaround cycle.

The system is comprised of onboard and ground-based components. The onboardcomponents enable a user to generate reports and ensure the dissemination of thesereports over the appropriate communication channels, such as satellite, WiFi, GPRS andSMS. The ground component then makes the received reports available to authorisedpersonnel via the Web, e-mail or SMS alerts. The reports are also translated and forwardedto existing airline systems.

The ability to assign value to data is a key requirement for effective use of availablecommunication channels. For data of high value, such as critical defects or importantoperational data, it is essential to transfer the data en-route via satellite. For data of lesservalue, such as manuals or updated schedules, data can be transferred during theturnaround cycle using low-cost GSM/GPRS or WiFi links.

Through the application of Satellite and Internet technology, an effective platform has beenprovided for the in-flight reporting of airline operational data. This platform ensures thataircraft are more efficiently processed during the turnaround cycle, offering significanteconomic gains for the airline.

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http://telecom.esa.int/meca e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

27

MeCA - Marine eCommerce Applications


“Technological advancements from the MeCA project will benefit both marineoperators and passengers. In addition to commercial applications, real-time datacollection and reporting will improve vessel safety and performance withnavigational and weather analysis.” Roger Flood, President and CEO of Marine Atlantic

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Telesat Canada1601 Telesat CourtOntario, K1B 5P4Canadahttp://www.telesat.ca

CONTACT Telesat: Abdul LakhaniSenior Broadband Architecture Specialist/ManagerBroadband Technology DepartmentE-mail: [email protected]: +1 613-748-0123Fax: +1 613-748-8712

PROJECT PARTNERS: Colabnet (Canada)Marine Atlantic (Canada)Woodwards Group of Companies (Canada)Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada)SmartLabrador (Canada)

PROFILE:

Through previous projects such as MIST (Marine Interactive SatelliteTechnologies),Telesat and its partners have validated the concept of using satellite-based IP technologies for marine broadband service delivery. This led the MeCAproject to adapt commercially deployed Ku-band satellite technologies to provide full-time IP connectivity in the marine environment. This technology is also used as thebasis for a commercial service offering to fleet operators that would also allow aneconomic return to the operator through revenues generated through enhancedpassenger services such as on-vessel information services, VoIP communications,banking services (e.g. ATM access), and wireless and kiosk-based Internet access.

On successful demonstration of eCommerce applications under the MeCA project,Infosat, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat, is now providing commercial servicesto Marine Atlantic for its three vessels (MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood, MV Caribou,MV Leif Ericson) which provide a vital marine transportation link betweenNewfoundland and Labrador and mainland Canada. Infosat is also providingcommercial services to Woodwards Group for its two vessels (MV Northern Ranger,MV Sir Robert Bond) serving coastal Labrador. Infosat is continuing to activelypromote the eCommerce services in the marine environment.


Multi-PID - Broadcast Media Monitoring System


“Content owners and advertisers are desperate for a cost effective way of monitoringwhen and where their products are aired on the proliferation of broadcast channels.Mutli-PID uses digital audio watermarking and an all-digital monitoringarchitecture to provide reliable and cost-effective monitoring of all the majorEuropean TV and radio stations.” Andy Middleton, Managing Director, AI Satcom Limited.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: AI Satcom Limited50 Minsterley Avenue,Shepperton,Middlesex TW17 8QTUnited Kingdom

CONTACT AI Satcom Ltd: Andy Middleton Project ManagerE-mail : [email protected] Phone : +44 7775 667140

PROJECT PARTNERS: V2 Music Group (UK)Ishce Limited (UK)Novra Technologies Inc (Canada)

PROFILE:

In the world of broadcasting, media organisations such as music companies, productioncompanies and advertisers generate huge revenues from their valuable content. Thesecompanies are desperate to have an independent and easy to use method of knowingwhen and where their products are being played on the broadcast channels. The adventof digital audio watermarking now allows media companies to insert inaudiblewatermarks into their products. The only remaining hurdle is to develop a cost-effectivemonitoring system to cover the main European broadcast channels.

The objective of the “Multi-PID” project was to develop and demonstrate a state-of-the-art system to allow multiple DVB channels to be filtered and routed over a local areanetwork for subsequent processing, monitoring and reporting of digital watermarks. TheMulti-PID project implemented this key hub technology and supporting infrastructure tocreate an extremely cost-effective way of monitoring the numerous broadcast satellitechannels. The project provided a generic and modular architecture that may be used in anumber of commercial applications.

The ARTES-3 pilot trial gave an ideal opportunity to test the technology in an operationalbroadcast environment. Content from V2 Music Group was watermarked andsubsequently monitored across a wide range of European broadcast stations, includingboth music tracks on major radio stations and videos on the many music TV stations. Thewatermarking proved to be highly reliable and “lessons learnt” were fed back into furtherimproving the system and processes.

Following the success of the ARTES-3 trial in monitoring music tracks and videos, theMulti-PID service is now running as a commercial service. The service has beenexpanded and enhanced and is now supporting customers from both the content andadvertising market segments.

http://telecom.esa.int/multi-pid e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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SATMODE


"SATMODE will add a new dimension to satellite distribution for our mediacustomers. The television industry is embracing all forms of interactivity and ourability to provide satellite-based interactivity on a large scale, and at low cost, willfurther encourage the development of interactive services. When fully implemented,the system will enable simultaneous and real-time responses by millions of TVviewers to questions or other types of interactive material presented on screen."Ferdinand Kayser, CEO, Astra

PRIME CONTRACTOR: SES ASTRA S.A. Château de Betzdorf6815 BetzdorfLuxembourg http://www.ses-astra.com/

CONTACT SES Astra: Jean Pierre ChoffrayProject Manager – SES GlobalE-mail: [email protected]: (+352) 710725-401Fax: (+352) 710725-9482

PROJECT PARTNERS: NDS (France)Newtec CY N.V. (Belgium)SES-Global S.A. (Luxembourg)STMicroelectronics S.A. (France)Thomson Multimedia R&D S.N.C. (France)SpaceBridge SemiConductor Corp. (Canada)

PROFILE:

SATMODE aims to develop a low-cost, two-way communication channel that willconnect TV consumers to each other, to their entertainment providers and to othercommunication infrastructures. Remote interactivity is the key element needed for the continued growth of digital television and there is a strong demand for TVenhancements using interactivity. SATMODE provides the secure, real time, always on, instantaneous connectivity this interactivity requires.

One of the major benefits of SATMODE is that it is very scalable and can address a massmarket of several million users. It also provides 100% coverage, which is not the case forxDSL, ISDN or mobile phone services. SATMODE’s performance closely matches theend-user requirements as well as the interactive provider and broadcaster requirements.

Services that SATMODE is covering are for instance:• Tele- Voting, Polls, Play-along, Quiz• Interactive advertising• Home shopping• Personal Data Consultation/banking• Chat, SMS, E-mail• Instant Messaging System (IMS), Multimedia Messaging System (MMS)

The antenna is as easy to install as current TV receive-only dishes. It gets rid of theneed to connect a Set-Top-Box to a PSTN line, thus removing an obstacle for TVviewers to using interactive application. For the interactive provider and broadcaster,SATMODE provides an efficient alternative to existingterrestrial return channels. Thiscan lead to a substantial revenue increase due to churn reduction, incomes fromnewservices, interactive advertisement and piracy control, etc. The proposed SATMODEprogramme comprises the development of an ultra-low-cost satellite interactivesystem, which includes all required activities, including commercialfield trial.

http://telecom.esa.int/satmode e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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SatServ


“The C-MAP Norway Satellite Service Project provides updated navigationalinformation directly to the end-users.” Terje Grastveit, Project Manager, C-MAP Norway AS

PRIME CONTRACTOR: C-MAP Norway ASPO Box 212Egersund4370Norwayhttp://ww.c-map.no

CONTACT C-MAP Norway AS: Terje GrastveitProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +47 51464700Fax: +47 5146701

PROFILE:

C-MAP aims to become the one-stop-shop for all nautical information necessary forsafe navigation. It aims to:

• Improve the real time chart updating service to include new chart editions• Provide access to maritime navigational information, such as weather and tidal

information• Supply accurate and up-to-date data for weather routing systems.

Apart from the real time chart updating service, the SatServ project in particularenables C-MAP to improve online access to navigational information via a singlecommunication terminal. The application is designed to use all SatCom solutionscurrently available to service customers who have already installed a communicationplatform. This will reduce their costs and avoid any need for extra equipment.

The aim of the SatServ development was to verify compliance with the mostfrequently used satellite communication terminals.

The client part (known as the C-MAP Terminal) supports all common standards andprotocols being used onboard vessels today, and will also be able to update itself whenonline. It can be used on stand-alone communications computers and can supportECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems)/ECS (Electronic ChartSystems) with backwards compatibility. The server part (known as the C-MAP DataCentre) supplies the onboard terminal software with all existing and future nauticalinformation available from C-MAP.

The main benefit of this system is that it ensures safer navigation as the navigatorswill have constant real time access to the latest nautical information. The workload forthe navigators can be lowered as the information is automatically or semi-automatically loaded directly into their ECDIS/ECS. The distribution of data is moreefficient and demands less logistics than the current method of sending CD-ROM’s. Itis a great benefit to be able to get a varied portfolio of nautical information from asingle supplier and be able to monitor the information from a single user interface.

http://telecom.esa.int/satserv e-mail: [email protected] October 2005

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1.1.4. Telemedicine/Medical Education

This area hosts activities dealing with healthcare related applications, including emergency consultations, tele-consultations, medical research, access to multimedia patient databases and support to medical education.

• DELTASS• Health Information Services• I-DISCARE• MAYFLOWER• NESA – Next Generation Emergency Satellite Assistance• REACH – Remote Assertive Community Homecare• SKYMED• SKYNURSE• TEMOS


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DELTASS

Applications: Telemedicine/Medical Education

“DELTASS, a satellite communication based system to help healthcare emergencyoperations particularly in critical situations as disaster context and a solution to improvesearch, diagnosis and therapeutic intervention on victims in medical emergency situations.”Malecka Saleman, Project Manager, CNES

PRIME CONTRACTOR: CNES (French Space Agency)18 Avenue Edouard Belin31401 Toulouse, France http://www.cnes.fr

CONTACT CNES: Malecka SalemanProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +33 5 6127 41 62Fax: +33 5 6128 33 89

PROJECT PARTNERS: MEDES (France) EADS DORNIER (Germany)Alcatel Space Industries (France) EADS Systems andSPACEBEL (Belgium) Defence Electronics (France)CHARITE SRU OP 2000 (Germany)

PROFILE:

DELTASS (Disaster Emergency Logistics Telemedicine Advanced Satellites System) is a mobiletelemedicine demonstrator designed to improve the efficiency of the management of rescue,first aid and emergency operations in Disaster Telemedicine contexts such as earthquakes orlarge explosions. The project, developed under the ESA Telecom User Segment, aims atdemonstrating the capability of satellite-based systems to answer basic requirements ofDisaster Telemedicine with effective and affordable solutions.

The different components of the DELTASS system are:

• Mobile Teams , deployed at the disaster site for search, first triage and victim evacuation. They are equipped with portable telephones and PDA's and/or Portable Telemedicine Workstations (PTW) for the transmission of locally recorded data to the Permanent Centre(PC) or to the Mobile Field Hospital (MFH) operators. MT's are equipped with GPS for real-time localisation and data transfer to PC's and MFH's. Equipment allows phone communication between them and the PC or MFH and other hospitals.

• A Permanent Centre (PC), possibly located in a region providing humanitarian help. It receives voice and data communications from MT's, manages and redirects this to a Reference Hospital (RH) and MFH. The PC carries out co-ordination and medical functions while the MFH is deploying.

• A Mobile Field Hospital (MFH), deployed at disaster sites providing co-ordination of MT's on disaster site, triage, reception, first aid treatment, conditioning for transportation, management of victim evacuation, medical expertise for patients through access to external medical databases or videoconferences between MFH's and Reference Hospital’s (RH). The MFH is equipped with medical means, databases and telecommunication systems.

• A Reference Hospital (RH), located in a region or foreign country which acts as a medical knowledge centre for the MFH providing further medical expertise, triage and medical treatment, by interactive telemedical services. Healthcare services of the MFH are improved by: tele-services, telemedical and database applications installed at both sites.

The DELTASS system shows that satellites systems are indeed very well adapted to disastersituations, where usually ground infrastructures are partly or even totally destroyed. Evenin a large geographic or isolated area, space based services can easily and quickly bedeployed in a cost-effective way. DELTASS was run in the period July 2001 – December2002.ESA is currently running the co-funded project I-DISCARE (as part of the ARTES 3Line 1 programme element) to get the concept developed in DELTASS into the hands ofreal users for actual emergency cases.

http://telecom.esa.int/deltass e-mail: [email protected] Applications

July 2003

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Health Information Services


Michael Nuhn, Managing Director, TeleSana

PRIME CONTRACTOR: TeleSana Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsinformationen mbHTaubenstraße 110117 BerlinGermany

CONTACT Tele Sana Gesellschaft fürGesundheits-information mbH: Michael Nuhn

Managing DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: +49 30 2060 791-0Fax: +49 30 2060 791-5

PROJECT PARTNERS: Real Media – Munich – Berlin (Germany)NDSatcom – Friedrichshafen (Germany)

PROFILE:

Health Information Services is a television based information platform for thedistribution of medical and general information for doctors and medical personnel insurgeries and at other medical sites and for the information and entertainment ofpatients waiting at these sites.

The basic considerations for implementation of this new service offer are:

• Health Care is one of the key topics for the global community• An ageing society has an increasing need for information in the

sectors of medicine, prevention, health-systems• Doctors are facing a large and rapidly changing offering of scientific

information and education• Certification of Qualification will build further need for dedicated

training and information platforms• Market participants such as the Pharmaceutical Industry, Health Insurance

Companies, Medical Associations and Public Services are lookingfor more efficient ways of B2B and B2C communication

Patients receive TeleSana live, a continuously broadcast live-programme coveringselected health issues embedded in news-orientated infotainment.

For doctors and medical staff TeleSana professional provides a platform forspecialized information for use on demand at any time and with an interactiveresponse possibility.

These channels can be customized to supply individual content to selected user groupsin connection with regional demands or medical service specializations. HealthInformation Services will use satellite communication to reach both target groups –patients and doctors – with a mixed content stream of DVB and IP.

The results of an independant market research showing approving ratings of thedifferent issues up to over 80% are confirming the TeleSana concept in its entirety,among others especially the programming based on health issues and news.

http://telecom.esa.int/his e-mail: [email protected] Applications

July 2005

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I-DISCARE

Applications: Medical Education

“Based on satellite technologies the I-DISCARE system allows the bringing together ofviable support for medical activities in remote, mobile and disaster situations.” Bernard Comet, Project Manager, MEDES

PRIME CONTRACTOR: MEDES (Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology)1 Avenue Jean Poulhes31403 ToulouseFrance http://www.medes.fr

CONTACT MEDES: Bernard CometHead of Applications DepartmentE-mail: [email protected]: +33 5 3431 96 14Fax: +33 5 3431 96 01

PROJECT PARTNERS: Elsacom (Italy)Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine, NST (Norway)

PROFILE:

I-DISCARE, derived from an earlier system called Disaster Emergency LogisticsTelemedicine Advanced Satellites System (DELTASS), is one of the few possiblesolutions for rescue services when natural or man-made disasters destroy thetelecommunications network. Medical emergency services, military medical servicesand humanitarian medical organisations will benefit from this system. I-DISCARE wastested by 11 organisations between January 2003 and January 2005. At the end of theproject the system is commercially available on either a sale or lease basis from a newcompany MEDESSAT created in Toulouse in 2005 .

Originally conceived as a system solely for use in disaster areas where localcommunications had been destroyed - such as earthquake, tsunami, flooded areas - itsplanned range of applications has since been broadened for isolated and mobile sites.

“After the DELTASS and I-DISCARE trials it became obvious that the overall systemor parts of it would also be applicable in a wide range of contexts short of full-scaledisaster," said Bernard Comet of MEDES.

The system makes full use of Compact Data Terminals, Ambulance Terminals andPortable Telemedicine Workstations, as well as satellite phones. Search and Rescue(SAR) workers use these for initial patient identification and triage. A patient’s vitalsigns such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood pressure are relayed to thedispatching operator.

The I-DISCARE dispatcher can also plot rescue teams' positions on a map of the area,enabling efficient 'top-down' management. Victims being evacuated in emergencyvehicles can have their exact location and medical conditions remotely tracked by anAmbulance Terminal linked to onboard monitoring equipment.

http://telecom.esa.int/i-discare e-mail: [email protected] Applications September 2005

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MAYFLOWER


“Tele-education, intended as a way of delivering content as well as tutoring andevaluation to students, is one of the most suitable topics for Internet-like satellitenetworks.” Fabrizio Aversa, Project Manager, Kell

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Kell S.r.I.Via E.Q. Visconti 800193 RomeItalyhttp://www.kell.it

CONTACT KELL S.r.I: Fabrizio AversaProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +39 06 36004916Fax: +39 06 3216937

PROJECT PARTNERS: Elsacom S.p.A. (Italy)Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine (Norway)University of Perugia (Itay)

PROFILE:

The Italian companies Kell, Elsacom, and the University of Perugia Italy along withthe Norwegian centre for Telemedicine, have developed the e-learnig platformMayflower.

The objective is to enable wider delivery of university medical courses. Italian nursingstudents and Norwegian nursing and medical students attend the courses of bothuniversities either from home or in classrooms. Persons needing flexible scheduling,students seeking a reduction in travelling time, less developed regions and special-needs students will all benefit from Mayflower. In line with European Unionobjectives, one advantage of distance learning is that medical practitioners need not bereintegrated into their communities once their studies have been completed. TheMayflower service is now on-line at www.e-mayflower.org.

http://telecom.esa.int/mayflower e-mail: [email protected] Applications

June 2004

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http://telecom.esa.int/nesa e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

NESA - Next Generation Emergency Satellite

Assistance


“The huge amount of resources allocated by public administrations to emergencyhealth care operations makes the viability of the NESA model immediate.”Fabrizio Aversa, Project Manager,Kell

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Kell Via E.Q. Visconti 800193 RomeItalyhttp://www.kell.it

CONTACT KELL: Fabrizio Aversa Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +39 06 3600 4916Fax : +39 06 321 6937

PROJECT PARTNERS: Elsacom S.p.A. (Italy)Aethra (Italy)

PROFILE:

The NESA (Next generation Emergency Satellite Assistance) project is dedicated to in-the-field radiology, carried out employing an RX apparatus on-board an ambulance.The RX images are transferred via satellite for remote analysis, together withsupplementary clinical information. The personnel in the field are in contact with theconsulting physician from whom they receive instructions.

The NESA ambulance is able to bring patients directly to the the most appropriatedestination, saving both time and resources. NESA has also been used extensively inremote hospitals and elderly people residences to avoid transportation to hospitals forRX and other exams. NESA helps serving many patients a day, due to the capability tooperate its transportable devices far from the vehicle.

The NESA project is focused on delivering immediate assistance to patients inemergency situations. This is accomplished by sending to the scene of the emergency avehicle and paramedics to:

• Perform remotely guided diagnosis, mainly based on RX and vital signs monitoring

• Transport the patient to the most appropriate hospital for selective admission. The NESA vehicle is an innovative form of support to the "118" Italian medical emergency telephone number.

The patient can be directed to the most appropriate structure depending on thepathology diagnosed in the field, avoiding emergency department congestion. Thetransportation of patients in remote hospitals can be avoided, as exams can be madethere and examined by remote specialists. The ambulance crew can be made up ofparamedics only, leaving the physician at the emergency service centre free to assistmany ambulances. From a social point of view, the improvement in quality ofassistance and in potential number of lives saved by using NESA is vitally important.

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REACH - Remote Assertive Community Homecare


“Tools developed by REACH reduce the time ACT teams spend travelling from thehome of one client to another. This enables them to treat more patients morefrequently without sacrificing quality of care, thus decreasing the number of days thatpatients would otherwise need to spend in hospital.” Dr. Robbie Campbell, Psychiatrist, Regional Mental Health Care, London, Ontario, Canada

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Telesat Canada1601 Telesat CourtOntario, K1B 5P4Canada http://www.telesat.ca

CONTACT Telesat Canada: Abdul LakhaniSenior Broadband Architecture Specialist/ManagerBroadband Technology DevelopmentE-mail: [email protected]: +1 613-748-0123Fax: +1 613-748-8712

PROJECT PARTNERS: Lawson Health Research Institute (LHRI) (Canada)Communications Research Centre (Canada) The Peel Corporation (Canada)VaaSah Incorporated (Canada)

PROFILE:

REACH is a homecare pilot project. Its primary purpose is to assess the extent towhich videoconferencing technology and remote vital-sign monitoring technology canbe used as an adjunct to clinical home-care providers.

REACH enables clinicians to work from their offices when talking with clients, ratherthan having to physically travel to their homes. REACH uses satellite- and terrestrial-based telecommunications technologies in a hybrid network to connect clinicians totheir clients. Clinicians are able to verbally and visually interact with clients, observethem taking their medication, measure various types of vital signs remotely, and more.REACH is viewed as complementing conventional travel-based visits, rather thanreplacing them.

The project partners are working in co-operation with the Oxford County AssertiveCommunity Treatment (ACT) team and its parent organisation the Regional MentalHealth Care of London, Ontario, Canada.

The pilot project treats 22 clients at 18 sites, which includes a group home. PatientStations are specifically designed to meet the needs of severely mentally-ill people. Forexample, clients use a touch screen rather than a mouse or keyboard when interactingwith the Stations. Screen selections are limited to a few familiar choices. Vital signsare entered automatically via wireless technology in most cases. The privacy andconfidentiality of clients is protected by giving each person the ability to accept orreject a video visit, just as he or she can decide whether to accept a telephone call or aknock at the door of his or her home. Clinicians are equipped with Nurse Stations,which enable them to initiate and manage video visits to clients, and review andupdate patient records. The Oxford County ACT team is equipped with two ClinicianStations. The psychiatrist supporting the team from RMHC in London is alsoequipped with a Clinician Station. The technology has been well-received by both theclients and clinicians.

http://telecom.esa.int/reach e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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October 2005

SKYMED


“Continuing Medical Education (CME) is an integral part of the design andevaluation of a new model for teaching and communication for Medical DistanceLearning.” Arcangela Colitta, Project Manager, Alenia

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Alenia SpazioVia G.V. Bona 8500156 RomeItalyhttp://www.alespazio.it

CONTACT TELBIOS: Arcangela ColittaProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected] Phone: +39 06 4151 490 Fax: +39 06 4151 471

PROJECT PARTNERS: TelBios (Italy)Trastec (Italy)ITS (Italy)Sudler & Hennessy (United Kingdom)

PROFILE:

SKYMED is an initiative launched in 2000 dedicated to developing and operating in apilot service phase an advanced satellite based e-Learning system to supportContinuing Medical Education (CME) services.

Part of the SKYMED project has been addressed to defining and developing a suitablemultimedia interface for on-line and off-line training activities, also providing voiceand textual chat interactions among the different client sites. Two courses (one onMedical Imaging, the other in Ambulatory Surgery) have been developed anddelivered to seven classrooms in different public Local Health Authorities (ASL) andto ten single users, all in the Veneto region.

Through an IP over DVB content delivery network based on the SkyPlexNet system,the SKYMED content is directly transmitted to the satellite and the related transportstream is then multiplexed on-board with the transport stream (TS) of other contentcontributions originated by other providers. The multiplexed TS is forwarded indownlink as a conventional DVB-S stream which can be received by PersonalComputers equipped with a DVB reception board, or by DVB receivers/routers, ableto distribute the multicast traffic within the Local Area Network of the remoteattendant sites.

The SKYMED system has been used since the beginning of February 2003 to support anumber of actual medical education events, and in particular for the transmission oflive surgical interventions, offering the possibility of remote attendance andinteraction. In this context, this technology has demonstrated its validity as a goodcost-benefit compromise allowing high quality video using a limited satellitebandwidth allocation (512 kbps).

http://telecom.esa.int/skymed e-mail: [email protected] Applications

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SKYNURSE


“Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back”.

Chinese proverb

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Padova Ricerche S.C.p A.Galleria Spagna, 2835127 PADOVAItalyhttp://www.padovaricerche.it

CONTACT PADOVA RICERCHE: Mauro ZucchettoProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +39 049 7621 211Fax: +39 049 7621 210

PROJECT PARTNERS: Didael S.p.A. (Italy)Eukrasia Consortium (Italy) TelBios S.p.A. (Italy)

PROFILE:SkyNurse is a pilot project that intends to develop an operating centre for the delivery ofsatellite distance education and residential courses designed for nursing personnel of non-EUcountries, in order to employ the trained personnel in EU hospitals and health care centresthat express such a need.

The aging of the general population and the demand for increasingly qualified assistance hascreated a scenario in which there is a strong demand for qualified nursing staff that isdifficult to satisfy with the local workforce. It is therefore crucial to recruit qualified humanresources both to Italy and other EU countries in order to reduce training time and costs andto create nursing personnel with a homogenous level of knowledge, to ensure safetystandards for health care and to develop standard operating procedures in nursing.

SkyNurse is intended for public health organisations that need qualified nursing personnelfor their staff and non-EU public health organisations who want to improve the professionalqualifications of their nursing staff, bringing them up to the most advanced Europeanstandards.

The operational centre transmits the content via satellite to the users in the remote classroom,who can interact with the tutors or lecturers via Internet, using chat lines or e-mailThe pilot project includes two training course stages:

• an intensive remote course delivered via satellite, lasting three months and taking place at the Romanian universities taking part in the project;

• a three-week residential course in Italy before the qualification exam.

To create a remote classroom, the following equipment is required: a file server PC, a numberof PCs to suit the number of end users, a LAN router, a hub, an ISDN serial modem and asatellite dish 120 cm in diameter.

The SkyNurse project involves the University of Pitesti (Romania), the "Politehnica"University of Bucharest (Romania) and Padova General Hospital, which will provide aprofessional outlet for the non-EU nursing staff requalified as a result of the training course.

http://telecom.esa.int/skynurse e-mail: [email protected] Applications

June 2004

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TEMOS - TElemedicine for the MObile Society


“Optimising medical care for travellers all over the world is the main objective of theTEMOS project. Satellite-based telemedicine makes it possible.”Claudia Mika, TEMOS Management

PRIME CONTRACTOR: University Hospital AachenInstitute of Aerospace MedicineKullenhofstr. 5252074 AachenGermanyhttp://www.temos.ukaachen.de

CONTACT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AACHEN: Dr. Thomas Kuepper

Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +49 (0) 241- 80 80 827Fax: +49 (0) 241- 80 33 88 723

PROJECT PARTNERS: German Aerospace Centre (DLR) (Germany)Centre for Travel Medicine (CRM) (Germany)Telemedicine Technologies SA (France)

PROFILE:

The project's objective is to establish a globally active satellite-based competencenetwork, which optimises medical care of humans (tourists and business travellers) inthe mobile society.

Globalisation increases worldwide tourism, business travel and working in foreigncountries. In the case of a medical emergency abroad, it is often difficult to decidewhether and how a particular patient should be repatriated, what the appropriatemedical treatment should be, and how reimbursement is covered.

The TEMOS project establishes a satellite-based network of interested medical partnerinstitutions who commit themselves to follow defined quality standards. This networkis open to all interested medical institutions like hospitals, general practitioners orassistance companies who accept and apply to the TEMOS quality criteria, which havebeen developed within the framework of the project. A medical tele-consultationnetwork with its headquarters at the University Hospital of Aachen, Germany, and atele-education network for hospitals and physicians to improve their knowledge of therealities and necessities of travel medicine have also been established. Existing travel-medicine curricula will be expanded and converted into distance-learning courses,which will be available worldwide.

At the moment, the satellite infrastructure and the different telemedicine workstationsfor the project partners are being set up. The first 65 hospitals in India, Greece andTurkey have been evaluated, the first hospitals have become members, and several arein the process of becoming members of the TEMOS network.

http://telecom.esa.int/temos e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

42



1.1.5. Distance Learning

This area hosts initiatives addressing tele-teaching and tele-learning via satellite, both on-line and off-line.

• Espresso• SchoolCast• SpaceForScience


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Espresso

Applications: Distance Learning

“The Internet is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. With Espresso you canleave children to explore as there are no links out - it is a totally enclosedenvironment.” Jeff Smith, Head Teacher, Anson Primary

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Espresso Education Ltd.Riverside StudiosCrisp RoadHammersmithLondon W6 9RLEnglandhttp://www.espresso.co.uk

CONTACT ESPRESSO: Lewis BronzeCEOE-mail: [email protected]: +44 208 237 1202Fax: +44 208 237 1201

PROJECT PARTNER: Astra-Net (United Kingdom)

PROFILE:

The Espresso for Schools project, partially funded under the ESA Telecom’s UserSegment line, demonstrates that satellite is a viable and highly cost-effective deliverysystem for high-bandwidth, video-rich applications, which enhance curriculumdelivery in the classroom. This project successfully ran a major trial, regularlydelivering and updating a large and comprehensive video-rich web site designedspecifically for teaching and learning of the UK primary school national curriculum.

Almost four years after the end of the project in December 1999, Espresso is highlysuccessful and has achieved outstanding results against the strategic objectives set forthe project. The company launched a full commercial service in 2000. EspressoEducation's award-winning “Espresso for Primary Schools” service is now used bymore than 1700 schools across England and Wales, strengthening Espresso's positionas the world's leading provider of broadband content services to schools. Followingthe resounding success of its “Espresso for Primary Schools” service, EspressoEducation has also launched its groundbreaking “Espresso for Secondary Schools”service in 2002. For the first time, children can use Espresso at home thanks to thebrand new homework service, which incorporates printable worksheets and links torelevant websites.

Espresso has won the European Multimedia (EMMA) Award in the category:Education & Home Learning Up to 11 years Online, the “BETT Innovation Award”and the “BCDF Imaginative Content” Award at the IIR's Broadband Content Congressin Barcelona.

http://telecom.esa.int/espresso e-mail: [email protected] Applications

December 2003

46


http://telecom.esa.int/schoolcast e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

47

SchoolCast


“The planned schools network in Ireland offers an opportunity for ‘Centralisedhosting and delivery of curriculum-related digital content and applications’. Thispresents the opportunity to build to a position where digital content is delivered in aplanned or on-demand manner by servers such as Scoilnet.”Schools Broadband Connectivity Study – Final Report to the Department of Education and Science, Ireland,by Datanet International July 2003

PRIME CONTRACTOR: ATiT IrelandNew LodgeGarristownCo. DublinIrelandhttp://www.atit.ie

CONTACT ATiT: Sally ReynoldsProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +32 16 284 040Fax: +32 16 223 743

PROJECT PARTNERS: Web-Sat (Ireland)Intel IT Innovation Centre (Ireland)GCS- Global Communication & Services (Austria)NCTE (Ireland)HEAnet (Ireland)

PROFILE:

SchoolCast is a pilot content delivery system aimed at the compulsory schoolsenvironment. It is partially funded by the European Space Agency under theTelecom’s Multimedia Programme. The intention is to pilot test the SchoolCast systemin schools in Ireland with a view to its take-up as a sustainable commercial service,and to prove the overall validity of the proposed delivery service, which is based onsatellite communications.

SchoolCast plans to design and implement a pilot service to transmit a variety ofmultimedia files (internet, video, audio, image) to 10 or more schools using a 2-waysatellite infrastructure, and cache the files on the school server for fast local access. Thepilot will validate the service also on high bandwidth terrestrial multicast networksthrough the collaboration of HEAnet.

The content delivery system is a combination of technologies and human proceduresthat support the management and the process of selection, validation, aggregation,scheduling and booking of the transmission of content, as well as the verification ofreception and access to the content on the client side. This complete system is calledthe Content Delivery Service SchoolCast.


http://telecom.esa.int/spaceforscience e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

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SpaceForScience - Multimedia and CommunicationSatellite Systems for Scientific Research and Education


“SpaceForScience offers satellite telecommunication solutions specifically designedfor the Scientific, Educational and Research institutions.”Jean-Christophe Honnorat, Project Manager Business Development, Alcatel Space

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Alcatel Space100 Bd du Midi06156 Cannes La BoccaFrancehttp ://www.alcatel.com

CONTACT Alcatel Space: Jean-Christophe HonnoratProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +33 (0) 4 92 92 33 18Fax: +33 (0) 4 92 92 77 60

PROJECT PARTNERS: IBM (France)UNESCOC2 Consultants (France)

PROFILE:

SpaceForScience aims to facilitate scientific cooperation in Europe, especially inSouthern and Eastern Europe, by providing virtual, collaborative working andeducation applications for research institutions, via fast academic networks and bi-directional DVB-RCS satellite links.

The goal of SpaceForScience project is to enable remote centres all over Europe toconnect, meet, work, teach and learn whatever their geographical position, thusenabling isolated institutes to enter the cooperative research, education andtechnology transfer networks.

The solutions provided by the application platform are designed to support scientificuse, offering content management facilities, portal services, network optimization andconnectivity services, such as fast Internet access or secure connectivity and fastbroadband access to academic backbones. Through a one-stop-shop system, users canalso access specific e-education applications and interactive services, such as videoconferencing, remote conferencing, collaborative working off-line and in real time.

The group of users, selected with the help of UNESCO, represents a variety ofscientific communities, which will participate in the pilot step of the project, to useand evaluate the system in the context of their own particular scientific activities,within the following themes:

• Life sciences (molecular biology and genetics/ epidemiology/ plant biotechnology)• Nanotechnology (solar, hydrogen, fuel cell energy conversion cycle) • Information and communication technologies (security/ satellite/ signal

processing/ GRID) • Earth sciences ( earthquake hazard mitigation).

SpaceForScience uses the latest IP and DVB-RCS satellite telecommunicationstandards, as space technologies are the perfect solution for complementing andextending an IP network infrastructure to provide high speed Internet access even tothose located beyond the local, terrestrial DSL network.



1.1.6. Location-Based Satcom Services

This area groups projects that have the objective of developing applications, terminals and services for the exchange (through satellite telecommunication networks) of information associated with the geographical location of the end-user terminal.

For historical reasons related to the set-up of the ESA Navigation Programme, this section also hosts projects that do not include elements of satellite telecom networks.

• Aerofleet – Satellite-based Air Fleet Communication and tracking System• Birdcom• i4S – Innovative Satcom Security System for Ships• MUTIS – Multi Modal Traffic Information System• PERUSE – Personal Safety System Utilising Satellite Combined with

Emerging Technologies• Railway Freight Wagon Tracking and Reporting• WICOR


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AeroFleet - Satellite-based Air FleetCommunication and Tracking System

Applications: Location-Based Satcom Services

“The AeroFleet system provides up-to-date flight progress information to the AirlineOperations Centre. Furthermore, world-wide coverage of the SatCom system allowsfor uninterrupted communication between dispatch and the flight crew. Both featuresare key to efficient and customer-friendly airline operations.”Dr. Stephan Romahn, Product Manager Aerospace, Euro Telematic AG

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Euro Telematik AGRiedweg 5D-89081 UlmGermanyhttp://www.euro-telematik.de

CONTACT Euro-Telematik AG: Dr. Stephan RomahnHead Air Traffic SolutionsE-mail: [email protected]: +49-89-665603-53Fax: +49-89-665603-59

PROFILE:

Euro-Telematik has developed and put into operation a fleet tracking andcommunication system called ‘AeroFleet’. It allows an operator of an aircraft fleet totrack, monitor, and communicate with the aircraft over their full operating range, evenat large distances from the operating centre, via satellite communication.

In this project, our partner Luxembourg Air Rescue (LAR) is evaluating the system inits daily ambulance and air-rescue operations, and is already benefiting from thesystems features at this early stage.

Suitable areas of application include the operation of specialised aircraft fleets, such as:

• rescue operations in difficult terrain• transport operations in remote areas • offshore platform services• power line maintenance• fire fighting• all-weather operation • governmental operations / police / coast guard.

http://telecom.esa.int/aerofleet e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

52


Birdcom

Applications : Location-Based Satcom Services

“The business of service provisioning for ultra-light aviation is entirely new and ourpreliminary analysis shows high potential and user-community expectations. Theproposed services enhance safety and introduce very useful features that are currentlylacking in the commercial aviation sector.” Sebastiano Tirrò, President of Space Engineering

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Space Engineering SpAVia dei Berio 9100155 RomaItalyhttp://www.space.it

CONTACT SPACE ENGINEERING: Giuseppe ChiassariniProject [email protected] : +39 06 22595 224Fax : +39 06 2280 739

PROJECT PARTNERS: KELL (Italy)Elsacom (Italy)

PROFILE:

The BIRDCOM project developed and integrated an airborne user terminal based oncommercial satcom, navigation and computing modules. The target market is thegrowing ultra-light aviation segment made up of the aircraft owners and operators.The terminal has been tested in a real airborne environment with the applicationsoftware needed for the provision of new services. The space segment used isGlobalstar.

The resulting terminal should also prepare the ground for applications dedicated tothe general and commercial aviation market, and for the employment of other spacesegments in the airborne environment.

The availability of the ultra-light flight environment enables this development at afraction of the cost of the same development in the commercial aviation environment.

The main services available are:

• On-line and off-line maps and information with 3D real-time rendering• Air Traffic Control• Black-Box Telemetry• Emergency Telecommanding• Voice Communications

http://telecom.esa.int/birdcom e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

53


i4S - Innovative Satcom Security System for Ships


“The rationale behind this project is to support the development of our spin-offcompany by creating new services dedicated to maritime activities in accordance withcurrent maritime regulation to improve security onboard ships.”Jean Muller, Commercial Director, Novacom Services

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Novacom ServicesParc Technologique du Canal8-10 rue Hermes31520 RamonvilleFrancehttp://www.novacom-services.com

CONTACT NOVACOM: Jean MullerBusiness DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: +33 5 61 39 50 10Fax: +33 5 61 39 50 01

PROFILE:

A subsidiary of CLS, the exclusive operator of the Argos system, and CNES, theFrench space agency, Novacom Services is an application service provider dedicated tovehicle tracking and data collection from any PC connected to the Internet. NovacomServices offers turn-key services to road hauliers, merchant shipping, constructioncompanies and waste-management companies for large cities.

The i4s project objective is to develop a dedicated maritime service based on anapplication hosted by the existing Novacom platform. Future clients such as shipowners and shippers will use the Novacom platform in an Application ServiceProvider mode: access over the Internet with the possibility to retrieve regular positioninformation and to send return messages to the field in real-time.

The i4s project objective is to build an SSAS service based on the adoption of theSOLAS regulation. This regulation requires ships over 500 GT to be equipped with analarm system (Ship Security Alert System) in order to reinforce ship security. Thissystem allows the crew to push an alarm button, in the case of piracy for example, thatautomatically sends a message to the competent authority and to the ship’s owner.

Though the i4s application is the heart of the project, the service can only be completewith a hardware terminal installed on the ship. The primary intention is to build onthe existing ARGOS beacon, the ShipLoc IV terminal, dedicated to piracy prevention.Nevertheless, the strategy is clearly to keep the service open to the largest range ofequipment by developing several space telecom interfaces.

http://telecom.esa.int/i4S e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

54


http://telecom.esa.int/mutis e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

MUTIS - Multi Modal Traffic Information System


“The MUTIS project will reveal how far the LEO based communication services canpush forward the development of the Danube river as an environmentally friendlyway of transport.”Manfred Seitz, Managing Director, via donau

PRIME CONTRACTOR: via donau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-Gesellschaft mbH für Telematik und DonauschifffahrtDonau-City-Strasse 11220 ViennaAustriahttp://www.via-donau.org

CONTACT via donau: Marko JandrisitsProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +43 1 595 48 96 23Fax: +43 1 595 48 96 19

PROJECT PARTNER: FH Technikum Wien (Austria)

PROFILE:

The political and economic step-by-step integration of Eastern and South-EasternEuropean countries into the European Union will substantially increase the volume offreight traffic along the Danube corridor, which is one of the Europe’s major East-Westtransport routes. A primary concern of transport policy in the European Union andother countries must therefore be to find measures coping with these traffic volumesin an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way.

The strategic objective of via donau is to develop the Danube river as anenvironmentally friendly method of transport. This aim requires a mix of measures,above all the introduction of innovative telematics applications like a RiverInformation Services (RIS). The MUTIS project evaluated the impact of new andconventional communication technologies for the implementation of RiverInformation Services in the Danube corridor. The following project steps were carriedout:

• Analysis of the potential of new, i.e. satellite based, and conventional (GSM/SMS) communication technologies for RIS in the Danube region

• Analysis of the possibilities to integrate traffic information from all transportation modes into a common intermodal database.

For this purpose, a vessel was equipped with the necessary devices to generate trafficdata along the Danube waterway between Vienna and Constanta at the Black Sea. Theposition and other dynamic data were transmitted from the vessel via the satellitecommunication systems GLOBALSTAR, IRIDIUM and THURAYA as well as terrestrialGSM. Additionally, the availability of the communication systems along the Danubewaterway was monitored. The collected data were analysed against the specific projectaims. The project results will be used as a basis for further developments in the field ofinland navigation and to offer intermodal traffic information services.

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http://telecom.esa.int/peruse e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

PERUSE - Personal Safety System UtilisingSatellite Combined with Emerging Technologies


“Our device can be carried or worn by a person, making them feel more secure in theknowledge that they can signal for help at the touch of a button.”George Brosnan, CEO, Securecom Technologies Ltd.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Securecom Technologies Ltd.Kerry Technology ParkTraleeCo. KerryIrelandhttp://www.securecom.ie

CONTACT Securecom Technologies Ltd.: George Brosnan

CEOE-mail: [email protected]: +353 (0) 66 7190370Fax: +353 (0) 66 7190375

PROFILE:

The PERUSE Project is developing a Wireless Personal Alarm (WPA) solution which iscarried by or worn on a person and allows the user to signal for help at the touch of abutton.

Upon activation of an SOS alarm, the WPA transmits a low power signal to a satellitecommunications handset, which forwards a message to an authorized number,including the identity of the person in distress, as well as their current location. TheWPA also has the potential to transmit the user's current state of health and localenvironmental parameters.

It is likely that recipient of the user's SOS signal will be a suitably equippedEmergency Monitoring Centre with which the user has agreed pre-defined steps to becarried out in the event of an emergency.

Prototypes of the following two devices have been developed:

• a Wireless Personal Alarm (WPA), which will be carried by or worn on a person and allows the user to signal for help at the touch of a button, and

• a Dongle (BTD), which provides a satellite communications handset with a low power wireless link to the WPA.

In the next stages of the project, the devices will be trialed and evaluated.

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http://telecom.esa.int/railway e-mail: [email protected] Applications

September 2004

Railway Freight Wagon Tracking andReporting


“In Railway Applications, what is usually missing from a pure GPS receiver isnormally available via the Wheel Slide Protection Electronics. Maximum synergy isgained by integrating them together.” Luca Ghislanzoni, Project Manager, C-Sigma s.r.I.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: C-Sigma s.r.I.Via Cavour, 1823900 LeccoItalyhttp://www.c-sigma.it

CONTACT C-SIGMA: Luca GhislanzoniProject ManagerE-mail:[email protected]: +39 0341 362083Fax: +39 0341 362083

PROFILE:

On railway freight wagons the only electronic unit installed is typically the WheelSlide Protection (WSP) electronics, which controls the pneumatic brake so as toprevent any wheel-lock condition. The latter is very damaging for the wheels.

The WSP electronics already includes digital processing capabilities, as well aselectrical power generation, conditioning, and storage (and for the most modernapplications, also the interface to the vehicle data bus, when available). It thereforeseems the natural place to install the additional electronic boards required for GPSbased Fleet Management. The advantages gained by integrating a GPS-GSM boardinto WSP electronics go even further: the presence of a GSM modem also allows themonitoring of useful diagnostic information concerning the overall brake equipment.Furthermore, the fact that the WSP already processes the signals from the axle-mounted speed sensors opens up new possibilities, for example the monitoring of thewheel's wear rate (by comparing the speed signals from the sensors to the GPS speeddata), which is very useful information when scheduling preventive maintenance.

A GPS-GSM Location Rx Board (G2LRB) has therefore been developed, to the pointwhere it is ready for commercial exploitation, and can be plugged directly into theexisting C-Sigma WSP electronics.

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WICOR


“No single safety and security communication system today answers the demand forrobustness and high performance coupled with cost effectiveness. WICOR is a project todevelop an intelligent communication router to seamlessly combine multiple systems.”Stefan Baumann, Project Manager, Telematica e.K.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Telematica e.K.Baiernrainer Weg 683623 LindenGermanyhttp://www.telematica.de

CONTACT TELEMATICA E.K.: Stefan BaumannProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +49 8027 9316Fax: +49 8027 9315

PROJECT PARTNER: OECON GmbH (Germany)

PROFILE:

The key-objective of WICOR was to design and develop a multifunctional “black-box”that consists of an intelligent user terminal router providing interfaces to multiplecommunication systems. SatCom, GSM/GPRS, and WLAN were considered. The“black box” also incorporates a positioning capability (GPS). The core element of this“black-box” is a processor with dedicated software to manage the overall system. The main task of this software is to analyse permanently the “communicationenvironment” to identify, whether e.g. GSM/GPRS is available and, if not, switch toSatCom.

WICOR defined, developed and demonstrated prototype services for safety & securityrelated users, too. The overall design of the “black-box” was defined and developed insuch a way, that it resulted in a maximum level of flexibility for the customer to selectsystems of his/her choice (e.g. INMARSAT or Globalstar as SatCom systems, GSM orTetra(pol) as cellular networks and WLAN or bluetooth as local area systems). Eventhe selection of multiple systems of each category is supported. The selection of thecommunication system to be used is managed by appropriate software taking intoaccount predefined and user specific preferences (e.g. communication cost, datasecurity, reliability of connection over a predefined period of time, etc.).

WICOR improves the communication capability for various safety & security relatedapplications, which suffer from limited availability of a single communication source.For example, satellite communication requires a direct line-of-sight (LoS) to thesatellite, cellular networks have restricted coverage in rural/remote areas, WLAN isrestricted to access points, etc. Those users in need of permanent access tocommunication links have to be equipped with a number of communication devices tobe sure that one of them is ready to use in case a communication link is required. Bycombining a variety of communication links in an intelligent way, it is the intention ofWICOR to choose the most cost-effective, secure data transfer channel possible, thuscreating new applications and prospects.

http://telecom.esa.int/wicor e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

58


1.1.7. Disaster Relief/Emergency Management

This area addresses the provision of satellite based solutions for organisations and operators that are involved in emergencies and relief of disaster situations.

• I-GARMENT – Integrated System for Management of Civil Protection Units• SARFOS – Search and Rescue Forward Operation Support System• SASS – Satellite Based Alarm and Surveillance System• TRACKS – Transportable Station for Communication Network Extension by Satellite


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http://telecom.esa.int/i-garment e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

I-Garment-Integrated System for Management ofCivil Protection Units

Applications: Disaster Relief/Emergency Management

“I-Garment delivers full-bodied smart garments equipped with sensors to monitorofficers’ positions and vital signals. This information is sent via a wireless link toCivil Protection Officers in the HQ, processed and returned to field officers equippedwith PDAs.”Tiago Fonseca, YDreams COO

PRIME CONTRACTOR: YDreamsMadam ParqueQuinta da Torre2829-516 CaparicaPortugalhttp://www.ydreams.com

CONTACT YDREAMS: Tiago FonsecaChief Operations OfficerE-mail: [email protected]: +351 212949683Fax: +351 212952380

PROJECT PARTNERS: Instituto Telecomunicações (IT) (Portugal)Miguel Rios Design (Portugal)

PROFILE:

Urban and forest fires are a tremendous challenge to fire brigades. New technology andequipment is needed to meet this challenge.

I-Garment, a solution comprising smart full-body garments for firefighters integratedwith a Civil Protection Unit management system using satellite communications, is upto the challenge.

I-Garment addresses the need to know where each member of the force is during anemergency and his/her state of health, allowing replacements to be organised in atimely fashion and teams to be moved according to the operational needs of thesituation.

I-Garment results from intensive R&D effort involving clothing design, sensorintegration, telecommunications and mobile interfaces. The high-tech suits make use ofsatellite communications and position sensors to detect motion and monitorenvironmental conditions and vital signals. These features are essential to track andmanage Civil Protection Units in near-real-time – anywhere, anytime.

The system integrates with existing Civil Protection Agency databases and deliversuser-friendly interfaces for PDAs, Tablet PCs and Laptops. The management-centrewireless infrastructure, based on a satellite link, guarantees communications betweenHQ and field officers under any conditions.

The potential markets for this development are Civil Protection Units such as policeofficers, fire-fighters and mobile health-response teams, as well as private securitycompanies where accurate positioning for effective resource management is a criticalissue and service has to be available 24/7, independent of availability of the terrestrialnetwork.

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SARFOS-Search And Rescue Forward OperationSupport System

Applications: Disaster Relief / Emergency Management

“Rescue personnel are not in a situation to bother with complicated technologicaltasks or to carry around ineffective tools. The support system, and especially thecommunications gear, will have to be highly mobile, automated, ruggedized and easyto use.”Wolfgang Lechner, Project Manager, teleCrossAlpina GmbH

PRIME CONTRACTOR: teleCrossAlpina GmbHMarktgasse 37 CH-3001 BernSwitzerlandhttp://www.telecrossalpina.ch

CONTACT TELECROSS ALPINA GmbH: Wolfgang Lechner

Managing PartnerE-mail: [email protected]: +41 8027 9310Fax: +41 31 320 37 30

PROFILE:

The purpose of SARFOS is to develop a forward emergency response coordinationand communication system using a combination of the latest technology in the fieldsof integrated satellite and terrestrial communication, navigation and informationdatabases.

The innovation of the SARFOS project is to provide its services also in rural or remoteareas without terrestrial communication system coverage. The mobile satellitecommunication will be seamlessly integrated, without the individual user having tobother about the availability of particular communication links.

The system consists of two subsystems :

- a SARFOS Mobile Unit (SMU) and - a Field Operations Server (FOS).

With the SARFOS project, the mobile user terminal (SMU) becomes sufficiently small,robust and easy to use for end-user applications in a harsh environment. The userterminal provides three key functionalities:

- Automated exchange and visualisation of field-unit positions.- Data collection in the field and immediate transmission to a centralised service

application.- Navigation and coordination support to field units.

Applications in an Alpine environment require ruggedized mobile units. Theprototype system is being defined, implemented and finally demonstrated especiallyfor and in cooperation with key mountain-rescue services.

http://telecom.esa.int/sarfos e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

63


http://telecom.esa.int/sass e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

64

SASS - Satellite Based Alarm and SurveillanceSystem


“The SASS system is a cost effective solution to provide connectivity for alarm andsecurity systems where terrestrial broadband networks with the transmissionperformance mandatory for security applications are not available or more expensiveto use.”Andreas Nil, Managing Director, MediaMobil Communication GmbH

PRIME CONTRACTOR: MediaMobil Communication GmbHFahrenheitstrasse 128359 BremenGermanyhttp://www.mediamobil.de

CONTACT MediaMobil Communication: Andreas Nil

Managing DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: +49 421 2010086Fax: +49 421 2239418

PROFILE:

The SASS project has developed a Satellite-based Alarm and Surveillance System. The system, which is now being tested in a three month field trial phase, providesconnectivity between alarm and surveillance systems at one end and security centresor other receivers at the other end.

The SASS system makes use of DVB-RCS compliant satellite networks and supportsthe transmission of alarm information, live video pictures, bi-directional audio and IPdata. The following solutions have been successfully implemented:

1. A Satellite Alarm Terminal (SAT) with built-in interfaces for certified alarm systems, CCTV cameras, audio equipment and data devices.

2. A Satellite Transmission Service providing reliable connectivity between the Satellite Alarm Terminals and security centres as well as other receivers.

3. A Network Management System which controls and monitors the connections via the DVB-RCS and terrestrial network segments with Quality-of-Service compliant to the requirements for alarm transmission networks with the highest performanceclassification.

The ongoing field trial involves a number of Satellite Alarm Terminals installed at enduser premises and two different security-centre operators. The main objective is tovalidate the performance of the network resources management functions for differenttraffic priorities and qualities, both from the technical and the user point of view.The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Subject to the results of thetrial phase, commercial operation is envisaged to start early 2006.


http://telecom.esa.int/tracks e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2004

TRACKS - Transportable Station for CommunicationNetwork Extension by Satellite


“Temporary land mobile network cell extension by Satellite in case of nonexistent ordamaged terrestrial infrastructures.”Hilarion Raobadia, Project Manager, EADS Astrium

PRIME CONTRACTOR: EADS Astrium 31, rue des CosmonautesZ.I. du Palays31402 Toulouse Cedex 4Francehttp://www.astrium.eads.net

CONTACT EADS Astrium: Hilarion RaobadiaProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +33 (0) 5 62 19 67 31Fax: +33 (0) 5 62 19 79 99

PROFILE:

TRACKS is a transportable station dedicated to meeting the communications needs inboth of the following areas:

• Rural areas in developing countries for telephony and Internet access.• Areas subject to natural risks, industrial risks and specific events where

terrestrial infrastructures are either nonexistent or temporarily damaged.

To comply with the above needs, TRACKS ensures the extension of current the GSMnetwork via satellite and provides mobile GSM services as well as rural fixed ones.

Its design and development benefit from a working synergy between the needs ofdeveloping countries and those of crisis management in order to provide satellitesolutions to areas where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking.

TRACKS takes into account such operational constraints as:

• strong resistance to climatic environment so as to ensure reliable and efficient operations in crisis areas as well as in rural areas of developing countries

• ease of operation and deployment with a high level of autonomy• cost affordability for developing countries, both in terms of acquisition and

operations.

The TRACKS project is expected to result in the development of a transportablestation with following beneficial characteristics:

• optimum overall use of bandwidth on the satellite network as well as on the terminals for mobile and fixed services;

• cost affordable both in terms of acquisition and operations, facilitating and contributing to the development of telephony and Internet access via satellite in rural areas of developing countries;

• providing efficient communications, while still being flexible and easy to put into service in crisis situations.

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1.1.8. e-Government

The area of e-Government includes initiatives for the setting up of services by Public Administrationsfor citizens through the utilisation of communication satellites.

• e-regSAT – Regional Interactive Information Services based on satellite broadband


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e-regSAT - Regional Interactive InformationServices based on satellite broadband

Applications: e-Government

“E-Government services delivered via satellite are intended to increase efficacy andeffectiveness.”Pier Paolo Simionato, Project Manager, Telespazio

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Telespazio (A Finmeccanica/Alcatel company)965, Via Tiburtina00156 RomeItalyhttp://www.telespazio.it

CONTACT TELESPAZIO: Pier Paolo SimionatoProject ManagerMail: [email protected]: +39 06-4079-3052Fax: +39 06-4099-9649

PROJECT PARTNERS: Giunti Interactive Labs (Italy)netStre@m (Italy)NEXUS (Italy)SDE (United Kingdom)T&M (Italy)

PROFILE:

Telespazio and its partners intend to validate a model to deliver innovative e-government services (communication, information and training services) usingsatellite-based technologies. The e-regSAT project targets the following areas:

• Distance learning and collaborative work processes for Regional and Local Public Authority employees, and University employees.

• Institutional communications and services for citizens.• Enterprise services.

The project is developed by a consortium of companies — NetStre@m and T&M of theITS group for the applied and multimedia part; Nexus for the learning processes andsome of the contents; SDE (Sustainable Development Enterprise of Oxford) for theterritorial development contents; Giunti Interactive Labs for the learning managementsystem. Its mission is to deploy a services provisioning infrastructure with capabilitiesto provide value-added services, delivered via satellite:

• Distance Learning Services• Web Conferencing • Infonews Channel: For this service, an additional task specific to the deployment

of MHP-delivered applications is planned.

The e-regSAT platform will be deployed on top of Telespazio’s Evolv-e satellitecommunications infrastructure. It is intended to operate in an e-government scenario,which will be identified in cooperation with Regione Abruzzo.

http://telecom.esa.int/eregsat e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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1.2. User Terminals

Development support is being increased for advanced low-cost ground terminals for both the professional and consumer markets. Indoor and outdoor units for both fixed and mobile systems are addressed here.

• 400W C and Ku Band TWT Satcom Amplifiers• MMSA – Mobile Multimedia Satellite Antenna• PocketSAT – Satcom Enabled PDA via Software Radio• Waveguide Lens Antenna


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400W C and Ku-band TWT Satcom Amplifiers

Applications: User terminals - Professional

“Both C- and Ku-band units have been launched at major exhibitions and anencouraging level of customer interest has been recorded.”Dr Paul John, Technology Manager, e2v

PRIME CONTRACTOR: e2v technologies (UK) Ltd.106 Waterhouse LaneChelmsford,EssexUnited Kingdomhttp://www.e2v.com

CONTACT e2v TECHNOLOGIES: Dr Paul JohnTechnology [email protected]: +44(0)1245 453309Fax: +44(0)1245 492492

PROFILE:

The initial project proposal was to develop a Satellite Communications (Satcom)amplifier for use in ground terminals as part of the earth station. Such units will findapplication in satellite newsgathering trucks, earth communication station satellitehubs, and digital data transmission (internet or telecommunications). The projectoutput was planned to be two engineering prototypes, two prototype units, andtwelve pre-production units (C- and Ku-band in each case). The amplifiers weredesigned for operation in outdoor environments for fixed and mobile applications.Utilising TWT technology, the amplifiers provide a platform for covering a wide rangeof operating frequencies and powers.

It was intended that, as a minimum, the product range would include:

• C-band 400 W• Ku-band 400W.

The range would share a high degree of commonality with regard to TWT supplies,control system and mechanical layout. The different frequency bands will be achievedby changing the TWT and associated RF components and assemblies.

The design phase for both the C- and Ku-band units was completed within theallocated time. During the subsequent project phases, 16 engineering, prototype andpre-production units were realised. The 16 units comprise 1 C-band and 1 Ku-bandengineering unit, 1 C-band and 1 Ku-band prototype unit, and 6 C-band and 6 Ku-band pre-production units.

All units were subjected to rigorous performance, safety and environmental testing ate2v. All test results have been reported to the sponsor and debated at project-reviewmeetings. The results confirm that the performance of the units meets or exceeds therequirements of the specification as determined at the outset of this development.

e2v technologies has undertaken a considerable marketing exercise targeted atestablished and expected users of the new units. Both frequency variants have beenformally launched at major trade shows around the World. The expected positivecustomer response has been received, together with a number of requests forloan/demonstration units. Moreover, in the past months, e2v technologies hasreceived an encouraging number of firm orders for the units.

http://telecom.esa.int/satcomamplifier e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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MMSA - Mobile Multimedia SatelliteAntennasUser Terminals: Mobile

"Our all-in-one antenna will enable mobile users to access rich multimedia contents,services and navigation aids through a single device fully embedded in the vehicleprofile. This solution will ease the simultaneous adoption of multiple mobile satellitesystems and will foster the synergy between them.”Ferdinando Tiezzi, Project Manager, JAST

PRIME CONTRACTOR: JASTPSE-EPFLP.O. Box 1271015 LausanneSwitzerlandhttp://www.jast.ch

CONTACT JAST: Ferdinando TiezziProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +41.21.693.89.20Fax: +41.21.693.89.20

PROJECT PARTNER: Laboratory of Electromagnetics and Acoustics – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland)

PROFILE:

The goal of the MMSA project is the development and market assessment of flat multi-band antenna front-ends for vehicular terminals. The system will be able to satisfysimultaneously the requirements of several Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS)applications like:

• Reception of commercial broadcasting transmissions in L and Ku band: SatelliteDigital Audio Broadcasting (S-DAB), Satellite Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-S)and Data Casting. The main service providers are WorldSpace, Eutelsat and Astra.

• Accurate positioning and navigation systems. Reception of GPS/Galileo + EGNOSsignals (L-band). Main applications: intelligent car navigation systems, road trafficmanagement, etc.

• Mobile telecommunication systems (Thuraya) and global coverage systems will beaddressed.

The antennas will be developed taking into account the requirements of vehicularmobile applications, namely aerodynamics, mechanical strength, light weight andsmall size. Car and boat applications will be the main targeted applications, but trainand plane applications will also be considered.

http://telecom.esa.int/mmsa e-mail: [email protected] Applications

February 2004

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PocketSAT - Satcom Enabled PDA viaSoftware RadioUser Terminals: Professional

“Global Internet access in the palm of your hand, whether stationary or on the move.PocketSAT will turn your PDA or Smartphone into the ultimate personalcommunicator.”Richard Proud, Managing Director, ComSine Ltd.

PRIME CONTRACTOR: ComSine Ltd.Norwich House14 North StreetGuildford GU1 4AFUnited Kingdomhttp://www.comsine.com/

CONTACT ComSine Ltd.: Dr Ian MorrisonTechnical Director (Telecoms)E-mail: [email protected]: +44 (0)1483 457121

PROJECT PARTNERS: Giastar Ltd. (United Kingdom)Jast Sarl (Switzerland)Gate House A/S (Denmark)

PROFILE:

With ESA’s support, ComSine and its partners are developing technologies and keycomponents for a new miniature satellite communications terminal known as‘PocketSAT’.

PocketSAT is a complete satellite terminal in a single compact package no larger thana PDA. The unit incorporates omni-directional antenna, RF, satellite modem, protocolstack, Bluetooth interface, GPS receiver and battery/charger. It can be used as a clip-on accessory to a PDA or Smartphone to create a fully mobile hand-held data terminalwith global connectivity. The PocketSAT unit and host device communicate wirelesslyvia Bluetooth. This allows the terminal unit to be detached from the host device andlocated up to tens of metres away from the user, giving a high degree of flexibility inoperational configuration. For example, the terminal could be placed on the deck of ayacht while the user browses the web below decks on a PDA.

Targeted at Inmarsat’s forthcoming BGAN system, PocketSAT is designed tocommunicate at L-band with Inmarsat-4 satellites in geostationary orbit, providingdata rates comparable to terrestrial mobile services such as GPRS. The terminal willbe capable of supporting peak user data rates in the vicinity of 50 kbit/s in both theforward (in-bound) and return directions. With a future enhancement to the RFsection, peak rates in the vicinity of 100 kbit/s in each direction will be supported. Avoice capability may be added in a future evolution of the product.

The high degree of miniaturisation is achieved through the rigorous application oflow-power miniature components and the use of an advanced and highly integratedsoftware-radio architecture.

The target price for the PocketSAT terminal is around 500 Euros. Together with thesmall, lightweight form factor, this should bring satellite communications within thereach of new and potentially mass markets, including adventure tourists, businesstravellers, field workers, leisure boat owners and members of remote communities.

http://telecom.esa.int/pocketsat e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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Waveguide Lens Antenna

User Terminals: Consumer

“The Waveguide Lens Antenna works like an optical lens, but for microwaves. It is anew, vital component that will improve wireless communication. This ESA Telecomproject has proved this.”Ulf Grape, Managing Director, Telewide

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Telewide ABNorrbölegatan 66931 37 SkellefteåSwedenhttp://www.telewide.se

CONTACT TELEWIDE: Ulf GrapeManaging DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: +46 910 173 40Fax: +46 910 173 48

PROFILE:

For millimetre wave frequencies, the concave reflector, or dish, has so far been thepredominant antenna design for professionals and consumers requiring high gain.Variants and improvements on the dish have been made over the years but thefundamental of a mathematically defined focus point has remained.

As new communication structures evolve and higher frequencies are used, driven bythe demand for increased bandwidth, the limitations of this technology, such as forhandling several signal sources simultaneously, becomes evident. These limitationshave been the driving force in the development of the technologies behind theWaveguide Lens Antenna.

A Waveguide Lens Antenna is an array of rectangular waveguide channels arrangedrotationally and symmetrically around the antenna axis. This arrangement allows thelens antenna to focus an electromagnetic wave at a focal plane behind the antenna.The lens focuses, and thereby amplifies, all polarizations equally, which is favourablefor circularly as well as plane-polarized waves.

A plane electromagnetic wave encounters the antenna surface and passes through thewaveguide channels. The wave achieves a higher phase velocity within the channelsand, with suitable length and geometry of the channels, a wave front is obtained thatrefracts to a common focus.

The frequency range in which the antenna operates is determined by the cross-sectionof the waveguide channels. A higher operating frequency requires a smaller cross-section and vice versa. Frequencies outside the chosen range are automatically filteredand not amplified, thus improving the signal-to-noise level in the frequency rangesthat are amplified.

The symmetrical arrangement of the waveguide channels provides easy control overthe electromagnetic behaviour of a lens antenna and the arrangement also provides forlow cross-polarization, while preserving amplification in offset angles of theencountering wave.

http://telecom.esa.int/waveguide e-mail: [email protected] Applications

February 2004

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2. Multimedia Systems

For the development and launching of complete state-of-the-art interactive multimedia satellite systems services, ESA maintains the Multimedia Systems programme line. It is designed to be well equipped to meet a broad range of the future market needs of European companies.

Various broadband systems are being developed in order to encourage multiple source manufacture and provide equal opportunities for operators.

• AmerHis


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AmerHis

Multimedia Systems

“This project will be profitable for everyone, the operators, industry and the Agency.It will serve the users and is a good symbol of European cooperation in the field of satellite communications.”J.M. Casas, Head of Science Projects Division, ESA

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Alcatel EspacioC/ Einstein, 7 (PTM)28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid)Spainhttp://www.alcatel.es/espacio

CONTACT ALCATEL ESPACIO: Miguel A. ReyProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +34 91807 7947Fax: +34 91807 7979

PROJECT PARTNERS: Alcatel Space Industries (France)Mier Communicaciones (Spain) Indra Espacio (Spain)EMS Technology (Canada)Nera ASA (Norway)

PROFILE:

AmerHis is an ALCATEL ESPACIO initiative, supported and co-funded by ESA andIndustry, with the support of CDTI, to deploy an advanced communications system basedon a regenerative payload on board the AMAZONAS satellite. The new system conceptoffers a broad range of new services in the field of satellite communication.

The AmerHis payload flies on Hispasat’s satellite Amazonas, launched in August 2004. It works like a ‘switchboard in space’, providing unique connectivitybetween the different coverage areas of the satellite and making possible a wide range of interactive satellite services over the Atlantic.

AmerHis is a win-win-win solution for Interactive Network Access Providers (INAP’s),service providers and customers. The much greater flexibility for managing and sellingcapacity is such that all of the main players will benefit from this advanced technology.Real- and non-real-time mulitmedia services and applications can be provided on readilyavailable DVB-S/DVB-RCS compatible terminals.

The system permits the assignment of resources to different sub networks in a veryflexible manner and allows user transmission rates ranging from 512 kbit/s to 8 Mbit/sec.The system supports IP-based as well as native MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) -based services, with efficient mechanisms for the provision of uni- and multi-castservices, and the possibility to define various quality-of-service (QoS) levels to meetdiffering user needs. These services include high-speed Internet, multicasting(broadcasting towards selective groups), video and radio on demand and many others.

Thanks to AmerHis, Hispasat is able to offer more and better services to its customersanywhere in Europe, North America, South America or Brazil without requiring costlyand cumbersome double satellite hops.

http://telecom.esa.int/amerhis e-mail: [email protected] Applications

August 2004

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3. Technology

The Technology programme line focuses on the development of equipment and subsystems for evolving satellite telecommunications systems.

Working closely with industry, ESA co-ordinates and sponsors the research and development necessary to bring new technologies to near-market-readiness. By investing in new technological venues and new system concepts, the Agency helps European industryto develop and exploit the emerging products, services and markets.

• APEX- Automated Procedure Execution• CASIMO - Carrier Signal Monitoring• ENHANCED SKYPLEX


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APEX - Automated Procedure Execution

Technology: TT&C station

“The APEX study delivers a portable ‘lightweight’ procedure definition and executionenvironment that facilitates the automation of spacecraft operations and testing.”Julian Long, Project Manager, SciSys

PRIME CONTRACTOR: SciSys Ltd.Methuen ParkChippenhamWiltshireSN14 0GBUnited Kingdomhttp://www.scisys.co.uk

CONTACT SciSys Ltd.: Alastair PidgeonSpace Business Development [email protected]: +44 (0) 1249 466 466Fax: +44 (0) 1249 466 666

PROFILE:

Automated Procedure EXecution (APEX) is a generic portable procedure definitionand execution tool that enables the automation of spacecraft operations and EGSEcheckout.

Designed to be performant, portable, distributable and scalable, its lightweightdistributed architecture means that APEX is able to support any mission configuration,from checkout for a single payload instrument to mission operations for satellite fleetsor constellations.

APEX builds on SciSys’s extensive experience in providing quality automationsolutions for spacecraft fleet operations, for agencies such as Eutelsat, the UK MoDand Eumetsat.

Operations automation reduces operator workload, reducing staff manning profilesand leading to significant savings in mission-lifetime operational costs.

APEX requires minimal integration and configuration effort, with low deploymentand life-cycle costs. It is based on Java technology and open standards, and requiresno third-party COTS software licences.

APEX is being installed at Eumetsat in 2005 as an upgrade to the existing UNiTsystem now used for MSG (Meteosat Second Generation). APEX is currently beingenhanced to ensure compliance with the European Cooperation for SpaceStandardization (ECSS) PLUTO standard.

http://telecom.esa.int/apex e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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CASIMO- Carrier Signal Monitoring

Technology: Network Control

“The dramatic increase in satellite channels in the near future will force satelliteoperators to carefully supervise their signals and guarantee the signal quality to theirusers. Hence, speed of measurement and flexibility in measuring a great variety ofsignal parameters including baseband demodulation parameters, and cost-efficientsolutions will be necessary.”Erwin Greilinger, Project Manager, Siemens

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Siemens AustriaGudrunstrasse 111100 ViennaAustriahttp://www.siemens.com

CONTACT SIEMENS: Johann PohanyDirector Space Business [email protected]: +43-51707-24620Fax: +43-51707-52902

PROFILE:

The goal is to extend the successful commercialisation of satellite ground systems,particularly in the area of satellite communication monitoring systems. Siemens wantsto extend its existing portfolio (Siemens Carrier and Communication MonitoringSystem SIECAMS™, Siemens DVB Monitoring System TESEUS and the ESA MissionControl System SCOS-2000), by adding extended DSP functionality to the SIECAMSproduct. Siemens is already successfully commercializing Satellite Ground Systems,both at the institutional (e.g. ESA, DLR, Eumetsat) and commercial market levels. Thelatter are satellite integrators or manufactures such as EADS Astrium, Alcatel orLockheed Martin, as well as commercial telecom satellite operators such as Eutelsat,Intelsat and Hellasat.

A satellite communication monitoring system is absolutely essential for alltelecommunication satellite operators, including institutional, commercial and militaryones. The proposed activity will allow Siemens to address additional market segmentsand also to extend the footprint of the existing customer base.

CASIMO is an enhancement of the Siemens Carrier Monitoring System SIECAMS,with the following functionality: - Highly sophisticated transponder scanning (selected band mode) in terms of

automatic carrier detection and characterisation, comprising the following baseband parameters and measurement results:

- On a configurable basis, the parameters mentioned above will also be measured during automatic background and selected carrier monitoring, where nominal carrier parameters are defined in the frequency-plan database configuration.

- Any identified carrier may be added to the frequency-plan database by means of user-friendly point-and-click operations.

- Non-intrusive signal-under-carrier detection (spectrum of the error vector magnitude).

- Hidden carrier characterisation by applying relevant filter and blind-scanning algorithms (non-intrusive).

- Carrier saturation analysis by comparing the average power of the individual carrier with the theoretical average power of the undistorted signal.

- Significant performance increase due to DSP-based spectra calculation (FFT) for carriers below 500 kHz.

- Real-time data acquisition

http://telecom.esa.int/casimo e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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February 2004

ENHANCED SKYPLEX

Technology: Payload Equipment

“The optimised version of Skyplex is the first on board fully operational regenerativeDVB Multiplexer for TV and multimedia data broadcasting.” Rocco Novello, Project Manager, Alenia Spazio

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Alenia SpazioVia Saccomuro, 2400131 RomeItalyhttp://www.alespazio.it/

CONTACT ALENIA SPAZIO: Rocco Novello Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +39 06 4151 2081Fax: +39 06 4151 2507

PROJECT PARTNER: SPAR (Canada), now EMS Technologies

PROFILE:

SkyPlex is the world's first satellite platform to deliver Internet and TV services with aregenerative transponder. When launched it will provide much more flexibility andlower operating costs for Internet Service Providers with respect to traditionalsatellites platforms.

This represents a breakthrough in multimedia service provision across Europe. Majorbenefits of SkyPlex will be the independent and distributed up-link to the satelliteresource (accordingly to DVB-S standard) as well as the availability of a nearbandwidth-on-demand capability. The cost competitiveness of DVB-S is considered animportant key factor.

The Enhanced Skyplex Unit has the same functionality as the Skyplex units embarkedon Hot Bird 6 and W3A. However, both the mass and volume are reduced. The left unit is the normal Skyplex and the right one is the Enhanced Skyplex.

The Enhanced Skyplex unit weighs about 5.4 kg.

All of this was made possible by applying advanced digital signal processing withstate-of-the art semiconductor technology. The key-feature of the Enhanced SkyplexUnit is the on-board Turbo Decoder. This advanced coding scheme allows a reductionin the transmitted power of about 5.8 dB without changing the information rate orbandwidth of the channel.

http://telecom.esa.int/skyplex e-mail: [email protected] Applications

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4. Mobility

The Mobility programme line concentrates on systemconcepts based on next-generation regional mobile systems. An example of this is a seamlessly integrated satellite element - Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS) and Digital Audio Radio Services (DARS). Development and adoption of appropriate standards and compatibility with terrestrial infrastructure is a priority.

• AMETHYST• BGAN Extension• CarBuddy• SDMB – Radio Phase A


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AMETHYST

Applications: Mobility

“ ESA is supporting the AMETHYST Programme because of its high strategicimportance to explore new mobile satellite system concepts and maintain the keyleading position of the European Industry.”Juan Rivera Castro, Satellite Communications Systems Engineer, ESA

PRIME CONTRACTOR: EADS Astrium SAS (F)31 avenue des CosmonautesZ.I. du Palays31402 Toulouse Cedex 4 Francehttp://www.space.eads.net/

CONTACT EADS Astrium SAS: Stéphane BoichonProject [email protected]: +33 5 62 19 77 66Fax: +33 5 62 19 94 94

PROJECT PARTNERS: EADS Astrium Ltd. (UK)ESYS Ltd. (UK)Inmarsat (UK)

PROFILE:

With the AMETHYST programme, EADS Astrium is continuing a long and successfulhistory in the development of geomobile satellite systems, since it has participated inthe development of all of the generations of Inmarsat satellites (Marecs, Inmarsat-2,Inmarsat-3) and is now the Prime Contractor for the Inmarsat-4 satellites.

One the key challenges of geomobile system design consists of providing ever-increasing bit-rate performances to mobile users equipped with lightweight terminals.This progress has been permitted in the past thanks to the parallel evolution of satellitetechnologies and transmission techniques. Based on this guideline, the AMETHYSTprogramme was initiated in 2003 to prepare the foundations for the next generation ofgeomobile systems.

AMETHYST Phase-0 (2003) aimed to capture initial operators’ requirements andidentify associated system design drivers with respect to existing products, and toperform system-level analysis.

AMETHYST Phase-1A (2004-2005) is a sub-project dedicated to the system and designanalysis of Geomobile Networks, aiming at the integration of Satellite Networks withAncillary Terrestrial Component Systems that will allow the use of new types ofsatellite-enabled mobile terminals based on the terrestrial standards. The project isfocused on system analysis, satellite and payload analysis and consolidation of thetelecom ground infrastructure. The key purpose of Phase-1A is to devise and thenvalidate new system architectures based on an analysis of present and future satellite-technology limitations.

AMETHYST Phase-1B (2004-2005) is a feasibility study focussing on adaptation of theInmarsat-4 spacecraft design to offer high-performance services in the L-band extensiondecided at the WRC-03 conference. The AMETHYST project has been extended withnew activities dedicated to analysing GBBFT (Ground Based Beam FormingFrequencies).

http://telecom.esa.int/amethyst e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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BGAN Extension


“Mobile Satellite Telecommunication Systems have undergone an enormous evolutionin the last decades. The interest in telecommunication services, available anywhereand at any time with ever-higher capabilities to offer advanced multimedia services,is leading to incredible advances in this sector. This unique innovation positions theBroadband Global Area Network (BGAN) alongside the world's most advanceddigital mobile services”Juan Rivera Castro, Satellite Communications Systems Engineer/BGAN Extension Technical Officer, ESA

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Inmarsat Limited9 City RoadLondonEC1Y 1AXUnited Kingdomhttp://www.inmarsat.com

CONTACT INMARSAT: Eyal TrachtmanProject ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +44 0207 728 1112Fax: +44 0207 728 1175

PROJECT PARTNERS: EMS SatCom UK Ltd. (UK)Nera ASA (N]LogicaCMG [UK]University of Surrey [UK]

PROFILE:

The Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) system has been specified tosupport point-to-point telecommunication services on portable and semi-fixed landmobile platforms with low to medium-gain, non-tracking antennas providing bit ratesin the 216 to 432 kbps range in downlink, and 72 to 432 kbps in uplink, depending onthe type of terminal. The BGAN air interface is optimised for a land-portableenvironment with directional antennas.

BGAN Air Interface and Platform ExtensionThe BGAN Extension Project aims at extending the BGAN air interface and platformportfolio to truly mobile maritime, aeronautical, and land-vehicular environments notcovered in the baseline system definition, in order to benefit these mobile communities. Inaddition, the activity will extend the BGAN air interface in support of an omni-directionaluser terminal, in order to cover a potential gap at the lower end of the product portfolio,serving a variety of applications targeted for the portable as well as mobile markets, andrequiring low to medium bit rates through small low-cost terminals.

BGAN Service Extension to MulticastThe BGAN baseline system has been specified for point-to-point S-UMTS services toindividual terminals. Satellites offer a resource-efficient means of multi-casting overwide areas. It is believed that there is a potentially considerable marketing opportunityin the MSS domain. This work aims to develop a solution for supporting efficientmulticasting via BGAN technology.

The BGAN Extension Project has adopted the “Open Standards” approach and will aimto open the new specifications to the exploitation of the wider community through thestandardisation process, thereby facilitating further gains for the Mobile Satellitecommunity (manufacturers and operators, as well as the users) from the economies ofscale. The standardisation activities will focus on the BGAN System and BGAN airinterface as a satellite component of UMTS. The range of design and specificationcontributions is expected to produce significant input for various European andInternational standardisation bodies.validate new system architectures based on ananalysis of present and future satellite-technology limitations.

http://telecom.esa.int/bgan e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

89


CarBuddy


“CarBuddy is a central platform for reception of the S-DMB broadcasting system inthe car. It will enable passenger entertainment and infotainment.” Michael Dieudonne, Project Manager, Agilent

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Agilent Technologies Belgium NV/SAWingepark 513110 RotselaarBelgiumhttp://www.agilent.com

CONTACT AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES: Michael Dieudonne

Product [email protected]: +32.16.46.97.07Fax: +32.16.44.54.81

PROFILE:

The CarBuddy project aims to develop a car receiver providing access to the S-DMB(Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) system. Specially designed for theautomotive use, it will support the reception of audio and video through streaming or"push and store" services as defined by the S-DMB system.

The project will define, develop and validate the CarBuddy concept of having the S-DMB service in the car. The S-DMB services will be available to the passengerthrough the car based multimedia network or the passenger's handheld device.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Specify the functionality of the CarBuddy reference design. • Improve the reception compared to S-DMB handhelds. • Develop a prototype of the CarBuddy device. • Demonstrate the advantages of CarBuddy to:

o Chip-set manufacturers o Car-equipment manufacturers o Automotive manufacturers

• Assess the performance and Quality of Service in S-DMB-relevant environments.

Besides addressing the S-DMB reception, the CarBuddy Device architecture will bedeveloped in such a way that other satellite broadcasting systems could be supportedthrough a Software Defined Radio concept. These other broadcasting schemes will,however, not be implemented in the prototype.

http://telecom.esa.int/carbuddy e-mail: [email protected] Applications

October 2005

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http://telecom.esa.int/sdmb e-mail: [email protected] Applications

September 2004

SDMB – Radio Phase A


“Our vision is to ensure that the envisaged SDMB system is fully interoperable withterrestrial UMTS standards in order to encourage multimedia usage adoption inEurope and contribute to the successful deployment of 3G. ” Nicolas Chuberre, SDMB Project Manager

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Alcatel Space Industries54, rue La Boétie75008 ParisFrancehttp://www.alcatel.com/space

CONTACT ALCATEL SPACE: Catherine DargeouSDMB Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +33 5 34 35 42 47Fax : +33 5 34 35 61 69

PROJECT PARTNERS: ASCOM (Switzerland)AWE Communications (Germany)

PROFILE:

The Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcast (SDMB) system studied in Europe intendsto enhance 3G and beyond-3G systems with the provision of a direct distribution linkto cellular handsets. By taking advantage of the outstanding satellite broadcastcapability with global coverage and the efficient point-to-point service capability forinteractivity with terrestrial mobile systems, one can make the most of bothtechnologies to deliver popular rich multimedia content such as mobile TV orsnapshot videos to a wide audience of 3G end-users in a cost effective manner.

The system is based on a hybrid geostationary-satellite and terrestrial-repeatersarchitecture offering nationwide umbrella cells with in-building penetration capability.It is designed to allow the integration of SDMB features into 3G cellular handsets witha very low impact on material costs and without any form factor modifications, easingmass market entry and penetration. For this, it relies on the 3GPP UTRA FDDWCDMA standardised technology and operates in the IMT2000 frequency bandallocated to satellite systems, which is adjacent to the terrestrial IMT2000 frequencyband. It also makes use of high-power geostationary-satellite technology providing ahigh reception margin in all coverage areas.

The system interacts smoothly with the 3G architecture via 3GPP standardisedinterfaces. It meets the 3GPP standardised Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service(MBMS) requirements in terms of service offering as well as operational constraints.This feature is defined to optimise terrestrial UMTS radio/network resources usagewhen delivering data to several users. It implements effective power-saving featuresthat are used in SDMB to minimise the power consumption impact.

The system preserves the operating environment since the terrestrial repeaters aredesigned to be co-sited with 2G and 3G base stations. They can share part of the basestation equipment such as the antenna and possibly up to the baseband. The systemalso limits the radio exposure since the SDMB-enabled handsets are always at the cellborder from the satellite standpoint and the transmission power of the terrestrialrepeaters, mainly deployed in city centres, never exceeds 20 Watts.

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92

BR-234February 2006

For more information please contact: Ninja Mennning & Anna Jacobs

ESA/ESTECTelecommunications DepartmentKeplerlaan 1PO Box 2992200 AG Noordwijktel: +31 (0)71 565-6409/5445E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Prepared by: Ninja Menning & Anna JacobsTelecommunications Department,EU and Industrial Programmes Directorate

Published by: ESA Publications DivisionESTEC, PO Box 299,2200AG NoordwijkThe Netherlands

Editor: Bruce Battrick

Design & Layout: Leigh Edwards

Copyright: © 2006 European Space Agency

ISSN: 0250-1589ISBN: 92-9092-574-4

Price: 20 Euros

Printed in: The Netherlands


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ESA Telecommunications